Memorial Day Events Posted
From Steve Bradford, Memorial Day Committee Chair
On Thursday, May 25th Holliston Veterans, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other volunteers will meet at the VFW prior to dispersing to Lake Grove and St. Mary’s cemeteries for the dressing of Veterans Graves. Outlying cemeteries and Veterans’ Squares will be dressed on Wednesday. A flag retirement ceremony will take place at Lake Grove cemetery at approximately 6:00 PM. HFD Engine 3 will be on hand to assist.
Memorial Day, Monday May 29th Veterans will assemble at VFW Hall at 9:00 AM prior to heading to Lake Grove Cemetery (9:30 AM) officiated by Rev. Nathan Detering of the Sherborn Unitarian Universalist Area Church and St. Mary’s Cemetery (10:00AM) officiated by Father Mark Coiro Pastor of St. Mary’s Church for ceremonies. The 2023 Holliston Memorial Day Parade will step off from VFW/Robert Adams Middle School at 11:00AM. There has been a slight change in the parade route to take in the newly dedicated Iraq/Afghanistan Monument.
Agenda at Town Hall:
- Welcome by Officer of the Day Bobby Blair.
- Invocation – Rev. Nathan Detering Unitarian Universalist Area Church, Sherborn
- Speaker – State Rep James Arena Derosa
- Speaker – Select Board Chair John Cronin
- Speaker – Parade Grand Marshall Ltc. Julie Winston, USA (ret)
- Reading of names of Veterans who passed in last year/prayer VFW Post Chaplain/American Legion Post Commander Ron Turcotte
- Amazing Grace – Sutherland Bagpipe Band
- Rifle Salute
- TAPS – Joseph Cibotti
- Singing of National Anthem Claudia McMahon
- Raising of Flag to Full Staff
- Benediction – Father Mark Coiro, St. Mary’s Catholic Church
- Dismissal and reforming of the parade
The parade will continue from Town Hall to HPD Headquarters for a flag raising and dismissal.
4 Comments
Why is the Holliston High School band not part of the parade?
The Holliston High School Band was, as is always the case, invited to participate in the Holliston Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies honoring those who gave the Ultimate Sacrifice for their country and their Gold Star Families. For reasons beyond the control of the Holliston Memorial Day Committee a decision was made for them not to participate this year. They would have been and still would be welcome to participate in the parade.
Stepen R. Bradford. Chair
Holliston Memorial Day Committee
I completely agree with Steve Bradford statement. I think it is appalling that the local high school band chose not to march in the Memorial Day parade. There is no excuse acceptable for the bands decision. In my years playing in Jr and High School bands, several military and legion bands and drum and bugle corps in many towns and cities in New England, I have never observed school bands not marching in their hometown parades. After all the purpose of such parades is to honor those veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
How very sad that these young people will not be
Playing for the Memorial Day parade. So very inporant for them to be reminded of the sacrifice made by our military which enables THEM to have the freedoms awarded to them today!!
A true shame that the band is not participating!