MARLBOROUGH – Marlborough community members lined Main Street to watch the Memorial Day parade. After laying wreaths at each monument, the parade ended at the Civil War Monument at the intersection of Main and Mechanic streets.
This was Mayor J. Christian Dumais’ first Memorial Day celebration as mayor. Over the last several days, Dumais joined TJX Companies, Boy Scout Troop 41, city officials and Marlborough residents to place flags at veterans’ graves.
“It was a simple task, but one that was incredibly moving,” he said. “When I was making my way around to each grave, I couldn’t help but wonder the story of each veteran.”
He said he wondered what they experienced, who they encountered, were they afraid, who did they save, did they have a family and what called them to enlist.
“I don’t know the answers to these questions; I do, however, know the answer to the question, ‘Were they brave?’ The answer to that is an unequivocal, ‘yes,’” Dumais said. “This is why we’re here this morning – to honor the bravery, the patriotism and the sacrifice of each and every one of our fallen veterans.”
During the ceremony, Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) presented a proclamation marking Memorial Day.
“It’s truly an honor to be here with you this morning to commemorate the lives of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms,” said Gregoire.
