HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE -- Team Hanscom personnel can attend Memorial Day events and ceremonies to honor the fallen and encourage us to remember their sacrifices taking place in local towns this upcoming weekend, May 27-29.
Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I, the U.S. found itself in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. This eventually included World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Some of the activities the towns neighboring Hanscom AFB are hosting to commemorate the day are listed below.
On May 27 at noon, there will be a bridge dedication at Veterans Memorial Park, 160 Great Road, in Bedford. The ceremony is in honor of the late Maj. Barry A. Seidman of Bedford, a Vietnam veteran and pilot. During his service, Seidman received a Silver Star medal for bravery and 36 individual air medals for acts of bravery, heroism, and valor.
Col. Taona Enriquez, Hanscom Air Force Base installation commander, will speak at the dedication alongside U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton and Massachusetts state Rep. Ken Gordon.
The town of Bedford will also host their annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony to honor the nation’s fallen veterans May 29. The event starts at 10:45 a.m. at the Fallen Veterans Memorial in front of Bedford High School. After a student-led ceremony there, the parade will march to the WWI Memorial for a brief observance, then proceed on to Veterans Memorial Park for the main ceremony. Enriquez will be the keynote speaker.
For additional information on the Memorial Day events in Bedford, go to https://www.bedfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2506/2023-Memorial-Day-Brochure?bidId=
Concord will be holding two ceremonies on May 29: the first in West Concord at Kenneth J. Dunn Square at 9 a.m., and the second in Concord Center at Monument Square at 11 a.m. The Concord Independent Battery, Concord Minutemen, Concord Police Honor Guard and Celebrations Committee members will participate, along with town veterans. Col. Richard Lopezdueralde, senior materiel leader for the Digital Directorate’s Kessel Run here, will represent Hanscom Air Force Base.
For additional information on events in Concord, contact the Concord Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee at ConcordPCCC@gmail.com.
The town of Lexington will do a Wreath-Laying Walk to each war memorial in Lexington Center on Memorial Day, starting at 10 a.m., followed by the main Lexington Memorial Day ceremony at Emery Park at Depot Square at 11 a.m. Col. Thomas Ward, senior materiel leader, Aerial Networks Division, Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks Directorate, will represent Hanscom AFB.
For information on events in Lexington, go to https://www.lexingtonma.gov/850/Memorial-Day-Ceremonies
In Lincoln, there will be a Memorial Day ceremony held at the Pierce House at 17 Weston Road at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day. Col. Justin Collins, a senior materiel leader from the Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence and Networks Directorate here, will be the keynote speaker. The ceremony will be followed by a community barbecue hosted by the Lincoln Police and Fire Departments.
For additional information on Lincoln’s events, contact the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department at 781-259-0784.