WESTBOROUGH – Across the region, communities gathered to commemorate Memorial Day.
Westborough’s parade made stops at several cemeteries across town, including Pine Grove and Midland before stopping at the Forbes Municipal Building for the Memorial Day program.
This year, the grand marshal was World War II veteran Jack Crane; however, Crane was ill and could not attend the ceremony. His family participated in the ceremony.
According to Veterans Advisory Board member Marshall Preston, Crane lives in the Highlands in Westborough.
Preston said that Crane, who was born in Stoughton, served as a member of the 307th Airborne Medical Company within the 82nd Airborne. In 1944, Crane was inserted into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden. He later served in the Battle of the Bulge. His company also liberated a concentration camp.
“Many of Jack’s compatriots didn’t come home,” said Preston. “But it’s through Jack’s story and those of other veterans that we can better understand and appreciate what so many endured and the cost of freedom itself.”
Watch the observance at Westborough TV.
