NORTHBOROUGH – A Memorial Day parade once again traveled through downtown Northborough on Monday with stops at multiple monuments for ceremonies.
The observance returned after being canceled for the past two years due to pandemic restrictions.
Participating in this year’s parade and ceremonies were members of the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234, the Legion Riders 234, town and state officials, Scout troops, Boros Cares 4 Troops, and Marine Corps JROTC cadets of Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School.
Algonquin Regional High School sophomore Savannah Staples and senior Cassidy Brannon sang patriotic music at the ceremonies.
The parade’s last stop was the Howard Street Cemetery. There, an invocation was offered by Pastor Chad McCabe of the Church of the Nativity.
State Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) presented a Memorial Day proclamation.
Selectman Scott Rogers spoke from firsthand experience as an Air Force veteran.
Likewise, Northborough resident Gigi Howell discussed her experience as a Navy veteran.
State Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D-Northborough) shared the timeless importance of remembering veterans. She read a letter written during World War I by her great-grandfather to his mother after he was wounded in action and hospitalized. He ended the letter by writing, “Tell the folks at home to write, as we want nothing more than a letter from home.”
Northborough native and musician Mychael David sang “Some Gave It All.” He included the Billy Ray Cyrus song on his album “Heroes & Honky-tonks” in honor of fellow Northborough native Army Spc. Brian Arsenault, who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2014.
“I wanted to do this as a tribute to him, and all the other men and women who put their lives on the line,” David said.
The ceremony concluded with Neil Swenor named as Legionnaire of the Year.
Accepting the lead in organizing this year’s observance was Karen Brewster, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 234 and a founding member of Boros Cares 4 Troops.
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