By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – Dignitaries, scouts, school bands, veterans, first responders and Blue Star Mothers took part in Shrewsbury’s Annual Memorial Day Parade held May 28.
John Lebeaux, chair of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen, opened the morning’s events with welcoming remarks at the Police Station next to Town Hall at the start of the parade.
Master of Ceremonies, John Travers, from the Ray Stone Post 238 of the American Legion, introduced Jessica Peng, from the Shrewsbury High School (SHS) Speech and Debate team, who read the Gettysburg Address at the War Memorial at the town common.
The 2018 Memorial Day Address was given by retired CMDR U.S. Navy Jamie Goodwin. He is an alumnus of the U.S. Naval Academy, and served with the Pacific fleet, before attending flight school in Pensacola, Fla. He retired after 30 years of service and is currently at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester as a faculty member and part of their NROTC program.
The Oak Middle School 8th Grade Band played patriotic selections and the Victor R. Quaranta Post # 397 of the American Legion held a wreath laying ceremony.
The proceedings then moved to the Mountain View Cemetery veterans’ lot where the SHS A Capella Choir performed the national anthem followed by Preston Karp, a member of the SHS Speech and Debate Team, who gave a reading of General Logan’s Orders.
A representative from the Ray Stone Post performed a wreath laying ceremony which was followed by a benediction from Msgr. Michael Rose from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shrewsbury.
The morning’s events concluded with taps performed by members from the SHS band.
photos/Melanie Petrucci
