Memorial Day 2009
5/25/2009
The Cambridge Veterans' Organization (CVO) and Cambridge Veterans' Services will hold their annual Memorial Day Parade and Observance on Monday, May 25, 2009.
The parade will start with a cannon salute at 9:30 a.m., and leave the Cambridge Common and proceed through Harvard Square, down Mount Auburn street, and conclude at the Cambridge Cemetery on Coolidge Avenue. Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons and Veterans’ Director Bob Stevens will serve as parade commentators.
Parade participants will include: members of the MA Army National Guard, veterans’ groups, elected officials, police and fire units, color guards, bands, drill teams and youth groups.
Following the parade, a Memorial Day Observance will be held at the Cambridge Cemetery. (Approximate start time: 11:00 a.m.) CVO President James Gray will serve as Master of Ceremonies. CVO Chaplain Frank Shay will give the Invocation and Benediction and State Senator Anthony Galluccio will deliver the keynote address.
Mayor Simmons will give the greetings of the city and City Councillor Craig Kelley will read the City Council’s Memorial Day Resolution. Amigos School 4th graders Alvan Rhoden, Nicolas Santiago and Rafael Goldstein will lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and CRLS drama student Kristen Johnson will read the Governor's Memorial Day Proclamation. In addition, CRLS student vocalists Ophelia and Timothy Smith will sing the National Anthem, America the Beautiful and God Bless America. Bagpiper, Edward O’Callaghan will play “Amazing Grace.” CVO Rifle team members Frank Mello, Matthew Gray, Joseph Belanger and Ted Connelly will render a rifle salute, and Bugler, Robinson Pyle will blow “TAPS.”
Following the memorial observance, the Women's Auxiliary of the Veterans’ of Foreign Wars accompanied by local elected officials, will hold a brief memorial ceremony at the Weeks Bridge in honor of the Cambridge servicemen and women who were lost at sea.
The public is cordially invited to attend all of the Memorial Day events and activities.
Immediately following the day’s events, a collation, hosted by the Cambridge Veterans' Organization will be held at the V.F.W. Mt. Auburn Post, #8818, located at 688 Huron Avenue.
DUE TO THE CURRENT CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW YOUTH CENTER, THE PARKING LOT OF THE VFW IS CLOSED. IN ADDITION, THERE IS VERY LIMITED STREET PARKING AVAILABLE. COLLATION ATTENDEES ARE ENCOURGED TO RIDE THE VETERANS TROLLEYS THAT WILL BE LOCATED AT THE CEMETERY. THE TROLLEYS WILL RETURN YOU TO THE CEMETERY OR THE COMMON AFTER THE COLLATION.
For further information, please call Cambridge Veterans Services at (617) 349-4761.