By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – Board of Selectmen chair Maurice DePalo announced at the May 12 Board meeting that there will be no public Memorial Day celebrations in the town which includes the annual parade and other forms of traditional gatherings.
“Because of the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing protocols that are in place, Governor Baker and Secretary of Veteran Affairs Francisco Urena has ordered that there will be no public municipal events held on Memorial Day, May 25,” DePalo said.
Local Veterans Services Agent Justin Sousa stated in an email that Urena made the recommendation in late April that cities and towns should not hold traditional Memorial Day celebrations.
“In lieu of traditional events, the towns of Shrewsbury and Northborough, Westborough, and Grafton are working to create an alternative digital Memorial Day experience prior to the holiday, tailored to each town respectively, that will be broadcast on May 25 for viewing through cable access and social media,” Sousa said. “Flags will be placed upon graves as normal, by people wearing PPE and observing social distancing protocols.”
More information will be relayed on the respective towns’ websites.
