Above: Memorial Day observances honor soldiers’ sacrifices as far back as the revolutionary war. (Photos by Susan Fitzgerald)
Here is the information you need to observe Memorial Day in Southborough. Events begin with the annual flag placement in the rural cemetery tonight.
Friday, May 23, 2014:
Flag placement (6:00 pm) @ Rural Cemetery – Rt. 85: In preparation for Memorial Day, residents are invited to participate in placing fresh flags on the graves of our Veterans to honor their service to our nation.
Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014:
(Flags will be at half staff today through sundown.)
- Veterans’ gathering (8:15 am) @ American Legion Headquarters, Community House: An invitation has been issued by the local Veterans and American Legion post to all town veterans to join them prior to the annual parade.
- Memorial Day parade (9:00 am) @ convenes at Marlboro Savings Bank parking lot, proceeds down Main Street, then through the cemeteries.
Commanders Steve Whynot and John Wilson write:
Veterans, town scouts, and school bands march in the annual parade, stopping at cemeteries to pay tribute and honor to those who have worn the uniform in service to our country to protect our freedoms.
Please join us as we remember those who have gone before us and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
For a look at last year’s parade and ceremony, click here.
(click flyer to enlarge)
Rex Daniels – I always think about him on Memorial Day. I rode the school bus with him, He was 2 years ahead of me in school. I did not know him well. He was drafted and died in Vietnam in 1971.
I attended the Memorial Day parade and services with my wife and our grandson who is three years of age.
I served in the Army Medical Corps in Korea in 1969/70 and at the Dunham Army Hospital in Carlisle Barracks in PA in 70/71. Although considered a hardship tour in Korea my experience in the military was nothing compared to that of so many others who were in combat.
I was moved by the parade today as was my wife.
The turnout of townspeople probably included families of those who participated in the parade, parents of those in the boy scouts, families of those in the marching bands. I wish more of those who live in town had come as it was worthwhile to learn so much about the history. Boys from Southborough fought and died or were wounded in all the wars of our country including the American Revolution and the Civil War, Korea and VN and the world wars of the last century.
When four men dressed in colonial attire fired their rifles I thought the sound of them was from a cannon! They fired salutes at each of the cemeteries and you could see them pouring powder into the upright barrels for the next shot. But they didn’t put in any balls. The other contingent did fire life rounds into the air and my wife has two shell casings as souvenirs.
A student at the memorial of the Civil War read Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address which was very moving as well.
I do intend to go to the Memorials again each year and wish those who do appreciate the dedication of those men and women who have the will to join the military would attend as well.
WRC