DANVERS, MA — Danvers residents are being invited to help honor veterans buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery by placing flags at their gravesites.
The public event is scheduled for Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Danvers.
The Danvers Veterans Services Officer will distribute flags to volunteers at the Sylvan Street entrance to the cemetery, across from the library.
Community members who would like to take part can go to that entrance during the three-hour window to pick up flags and assist with placing them at veteran gravesites.
"All are welcome to participate in this important civic duty," the town said.
Traditional stops and placement of wreaths will also occur at the Danvers Square Memorial Flagpole, the Town Hall Memorials, and Porter's Burial Ground on High Street.
"As we consider the sacrifices made by those who serve today, Memorial Day reminds us to look back on the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. This day brings us back together year after year to honor all Veterans who have passed. We gather as a community to remember their service and offer the gratitude that their courage deserves," said Kelley Rayos-Teixeira, Director of Veterans' Services.
The town will hold a Memorial Day parade on May 25 starting at 9 a.m. at the Holten Richmond Middle School.
A Memorial Day ceremony will follow at about 10 a.m., including the high school marching band, the Danvers High School advanced chorus, musket salutes by the
Danvers Alarm List, and the Roll Call of deceased veterans. David McKenna, President of the Danvers Historical Society, will be the guest speaker.
Sergeant Kevin T. Berich has been named the parade Grand Marshal for 2026.
A Danvers native and St. John's Prep graduate, he served six years in the U.S. Army and three in the Army Reserve as a Human Intelligence Collector. His service took him from Germany to deployments in Iraq and Georgia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and U.S. Embassy force protection.
He later continued his mission as an instructor at Devens and now works for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.
"In this day and age, when the safety of our soldiers is paramount in our thoughts, we need to give some reflection on the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform throughout our history who gave so much for our freedom," Danvers Veterans Council President Dick Moody said. "Their bravery is an act that only can be repaid by our prayers, remembrances and honor.
"All three can be given on Memorial Day."
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