REGION – Across the region, the community is gathering for Veterans Day. From parades to luncheons, here’s ways to commemorate Veterans Day in your town.
GRAFTON
The VFW and American Legion will be holding an official ceremony on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the VFW Post 1497 parking lot, 25 Main St, South Grafton. Light refreshments will be held in the building after the ceremony. All are invited to attend.
HUDSON
The American Heritage Museum is hosting the Tri-Chambers Veterans Appreciation Event on Nov. 10 from 4-7 p.m. This networking event is a chance to salute veterans and active military personnel. Registration required; veterans and active-duty personnel admitted free. Information: Jennifer Campbell, Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, 508-485-7746.
The annual parade and ceremonies will take place on Nov. 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The parade will proceed from AMVETS Post 208 to Liberty Park.
MARLBOROUGH
The senior center will host a Veterans Day Appreciation Luncheon on Nov. 10 at noon. Free for veterans, $5 for all others. Special guest: Lt. Commander John Pucillo, U.S. Navy (retired). Meal provided by Kennedy’s Market; the menu will include chicken supreme with mashed potato and vegetable. Dessert is chef’s choice. Tea, coffee and water will also be served. Reservations required by Nov. 7; call 508-485-6492.
Marlborough’s traditional Veterans Day parade will be held Nov. 11 starting at 10 a.m. Participants may park at St. Mary’s Credit Union and are asked to meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of the American Legion on Maple Street. The parade will then proceed onto Main Street. Stops will be made at veterans’ memorials along Main Street in honor of those who served. The parade concludes at the World War I Memorial also known as “The Doughboy Monument.” Ceremonies are coordinated by the Marlborough Veterans Council.
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School will host a Veterans Breakfast on Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. in the school’s Epicurean Room. The breakfast will include an omelet station, waffle station, made-to-order eggs, home fries, bacon, sausage and fruit. The event is for veterans only; limit of 50. To make your reservation, call 978-568-9638 for your reservation.
NORTHBOROUGH
The senior center will host the annual Veterans Day luncheon on Nov. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $17; free for veterans. Seats are limited; call 508-393-5035.
SHREWSBURY
The Shrewsbury Veterans Council, along with state and local officials, will stage the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the World War I Memorial, 1 Maple Ave. (the former Beal School). The ceremony will include a wreath laying and musical selections from the Paton School’s third-grade students. A full schedule will be available at www.Shrewsburyma.gov. Please bring your own lawn chairs.
SOUTHBOROUGH
On Nov. 9 at 12:30 p.m., the Southborough Senior Center will host a Veterans Day celebration. Lunch will be California chicken from Kennedy’s of Marlborough. After lunch, master of ceremonies Bill Harrington will open the program. Steve Whynot, a local honored veteran, will lead the Color Guard Flag Ceremony. The Southborough Songsters will then perform many patriotic songs, including a tribute to all armed forces. Space will be limited due to continued social distancing concerns. Southborough residents will take priority. Suggested donation — $6 (free for veterans and spouses). Information: 508-229-4453, www.southboroughseniors.com.
The veterans will be assembling at the Community House by 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. They then march from there to the All Wars Memorial at 10:45 a.m., and commence observance at 11 a.m. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts also will be marching. Speakers will include Capt. Kerry Kendall, U.S. Army – Afghanistan vet, as well as a representative from the Select Board. The program will end with “Taps,” provided by students from Algonquin Regional High. The ceremonies will be held rain or shine.
WESTBOROUGH
The annual Veterans Luncheon will take place on Nov. 10 at noon at the Senior Center. All local veterans are invited. Families and friends are also welcome. Lunch for veterans is free; for all others, it’s $6. Tickets are available at the senior center and the veterans office in Town Hall. Transportation is available.
The annual observances will be held Nov. 11. The grand marshal will be Adrianna Baltimore, an Air Force veteran who served in the 1950s.
Participants will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 17 Willow St., for coffee and pastries; the senior center bus will depart at 9:15 a.m. Ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Minuteman Park; this will include an invocation, remarks, wreath-placing, three volleys from “Taps.” There will be a stop by St. Luke’s Cemetery at 9:50 a.m. with invocation, remarks, wreath-laying and “Taps.” At 10:10 a.m., there will be a stop at Pine Grove Cemetery with invocation, remarks, wreath-laying and “Taps.”
At the Forbes Municipal Building at 10:30 a.m., there will be an invocation, a rendition of the national anthem performed by the high school’s a cappella group “Don’t Panic!; remarks, a few words from the grand marshal, wreath-laying and “Taps.”
Participants will then march to the Town Rotary at 11 a.m. with invocation, remarks, wreath-laying and “Taps.”
Everyone is welcome to the Knights of Columbus for refreshments after the ceremonies.
