'Glory' Civil War Regiment Reenactors Added To Beverly Warrior Weekend

BEVERLY, MA — Reenactors from the 54th Massachusetts Civil War Regiment — whose story was told in the 1989 movie "Glory" — have been added to the second annual Beverly Warrior Weekend lineup this Sunday.

The two-day festival of military apparatus, veterans services, and fun activities and displays at Beverly High School is this weekend. The U.S. Marines will be at the festival on Saturday and are set to bring items that include an 81MM mortar, optics and equipment displays along with other weapons and equipment used in battle.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter is set to land at the school on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. as long as they do not have to respond to a call.

Beverly Veterans Agent David Perinchief told Patch that a reverse 911 call will go out to residents this weekend letting them know to expect military equipment and some loud noises throughout the weekend. There will also be road signs to inform folks that any commotion they see is related to the Warrior Weekend and to facilitate parking.

(Also on Patch: Beverly Warrior Weekend Expands To New Heights For 2024)

Perinchief said there will also be plenty of veteran and senior services on hand — from housing to healthcare — to assist those who have served and answer any questions from family members of veterans. He also told Patch that donors are still being sought for the Blood Drive that will occur on Saturday.

A veterans ceremony is scheduled for Sunday with Lt. Commander and Beverly High alumna Claudia Pena (Class of '93) giving remarks as well as a performance from the Beverly High ensemble band beginning at about 1:15 p.m.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Warrior Weekend kicks off eight days of events in the city celebrating those who served and Beverly's fallen soldiers.

Flagging will take place on May 22 at Central Cemetery at 4 p.m., on May 23 at St. Mary's Cemetery at 4 p.m., at Beverly Farms Cemetery on May 24 at 9 a.m., and on May 25 at North Beverly Cemetery at 9 a.m.

A Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 8 a.m. on May 26 at Beverly Farms Cemetery.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)