HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Hanscom personnel will support several local, public Memorial Day parades and ceremonies scheduled to take place in late May.
Memorial Day was first observed May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery to honor those who died during the Civil War. Today, Memorial Day is an opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who gave their lives to secure our freedoms.
The city of Somerville will host a Memorial Day concert and fireworks tribute May 27.
The outdoor concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Baxter State Park at Assembly Row and will feature performances by the Metropolitan Wind Symphony, ‘N_Harmony and the Somerville High School Chorus. The concert will culminate in a fireworks tribute over the Mystic River.
For additional information on this event, visit https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2019/05/27/memorial-day-concert-and-fireworks-tribute.
The town of Bedford's annual Memorial Day ceremonies will be held May 27.
The Bedford parade will step off at 11 a.m. from Mudge Way and proceed to the World War I Memorial at the Bedford Common. The Bedford Historical Society will hold a brief ceremony and the procession will then continue down Great Road to Veterans Memorial Park.
The formal ceremonies are scheduled to begin at approximately 11:15 a.m. and will include remarks from state and town officials. Col. Chad Ellsworth, installation commander, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Bedford ceremonies and the Patriot Honor Guard will also participate.
In the event of heavy rain, outside activities will be canceled and the Veterans Memorial Park ceremonies will be moved to the Bedford High School Auditorium with an 11 a.m. start.
For additional information on Bedford’s activities, contact Paul Purchia at 781-789-8974.
Concord will also host Memorial Day events May 27.
The town of Concord’s observances will begin with a flag raising and brief remembrance ceremony at Rideout Field on Laws Brook Road at 9 a.m. The afternoon parade will step off from Keyes Road at 11 a.m. The parade will proceed to Monument Square where there will be a brief ceremony and the reading of the Roll of Honor. Chief Master Sgt. Cory Frommer, 319th Recruiting Squadron superintendent, will represent the base at Concord’s events.
To learn more about the Concord observances, visit https://concordma.gov/1165/Memorial-Day.
In addition, the town of Lexington will hold a Memorial Day parade and ceremonies May 27.
The Lexington parade will step off from the Hosmer House, which is located next to the Police Station, promptly at 10 a.m. The procession will make stops to place wreaths at the Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Thomas Cosgrove's grave, the Civil War Memorial, the Police Memorial, the Korean/Vietnam Memorial, the WWII Memorial and Captain Parker's grave.
The parade will end at the Lexington Battle Green where a formal ceremony will be held. The parade is scheduled to arrive at the Green between 11:10 and 11:20 a.m. Brig. Gen. Michael Schmidt, program executive officer for Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks, will represent the base at the Lexington observances.
In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled and the ceremonies will be moved indoors to Cary Hall for a 10 a.m. start. A decision regarding weather will be made by noon Sunday, May 26, and a message will be left on the Town Celebrations Committee’s voicemail at 781-698-4640.
For additional information on the Lexington events, visit https://www.lexingtonma.gov/town-celebrations-committee/pages/memorial-day-ceremonies or contact the Town Celebrations Committee at the number above.