Lauers Will Lead Patriots' Day Parade

As Scout masters and committee members they have marched in many a Patriots’ Day parade, but this year they’ll be riding in style.

Ruth Lauer has been busy perfecting her regal wave because she and husband Hugh will be leading the way as Concord’s Honored Citizens for 2012.

Selected each year by the town’s Public Ceremonies & Celebrations Committee, the Honored Citizen—in this case, Citizens—are recognized for contributions and efforts that go above and beyond for the betterment of the community. The Lauers were informed of the honor in late February and officially recognized as Honored Citizens on a ceremony Sunday, March 18.

“I continue, even some weeks later, to be surprised,” said Ruth, who is familiar with the selection process from her years as a member of the PCCC. “Even knowing all that, it’s still a giggle that we were chosen. I never anticipated it in a bazillion years, so whimsy rules.”

Since moving to Concord almost 30 years ago, Ruth and Hugh Lauer have been deeply involved in the community they call home.

“Concord drew us in, but at the same time, it was a good place to put roots down,” said Hugh. “You just happen to land with two people who have had an interest in and success with town committees.”

He’s been involved with the Boy Scouts, Public Works Commission, Finance Committee and, most recently, the Light Board, to name a few. And she was a member of the League of Women Voters and School Committee before she became a selectman and quite literally wrote the book on being a member of the board.

“I do it because I like living in a small town, and I think small towns work when people get involved,” said Ruth, the administrative assistant for the Board of Selectmen. “Once you’re in Concord, you realize the variety of people and opportunities. … It’s a unique town that encourages people to participate in making it a unique town.”

As this year’s Honored Citizens, the Lauers will have the opportunity to participate in a rather unique way.

For the year they are so honored, the Lauers will be stewards of the Boston Post Cane. Actually, they each received a replica of the cane as has been the practice for a few years no, possibly since Shirley Rohan was Honored Citizen in 2009, according to Ruth.

They are also stewards of the Commemorative Clock, their names are added to a plaque hanging in the Town House and, of course, they lead the annual Patriots’ Day parade through town while riding in the buggy.

“We’re delighted of course,” said Hugh, “But we didn’t get up the next day and do something different, either.”

Of course not.