UPDATE: Framingham Memorial Day Parade, Program

Framingham's Memorial Day program is set for Monday, May 29. A short parade will be followed by about an hourlong celebration and remembrance of local and national veterans.

This year's guest speaker is Courtney Thraen, executive director of Framingham Downtown Renaissance. Lieutenant Thraen, USN, served as a Division Officer – Engineering/Auxiliaries and as a Department Head - Navigator and Administration Officer aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS MOMSEN (DDG 92). He has also served as a Department Head, Professor of Naval Science at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The program also includes the presentation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Medals of Liberty, awarded to Gold Star Family members of Service Personnel who were Killed in Action or have Died of Wounds. Framingham has six requests pending approval by the Massachusetts National Guard and Governor Baker’s Office.

The events kick off at 11 a.m. inside Nevins Hall. The parade was initially to be to the steps of the Memorial Building. The schedule is as follows:

• 11:00 Parade of Veterans and Scouts to the steps of the Memorial Building
• 11:10 Presentation of Colors: Framingham Firefighters, Local 1652
• National Anthem: Charlie Rousseau’s Sound Truck

• Pledge of Allegiance: Scouts
• 11:15 Opening Remarks: Peter Harvell, VSO
• 11:17 Invocation: Veteran’s Chaplin Robert Anspach
• 11:20 Greetings to the Town of Framingham
• Town Manager: As requested
• Selectmen: As requested
• State Reps: As requested
• Town Moderator: As requested
• 11:28 SONG: “America the Beautiful” Charlie Rousseau’s Sound Truck
• 11:30 Guest Speaker: Courtney Thraen

• 11:35 Presentation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medals of Liberty.
• Medals are presented to Gold Star Family members of Service Personnel Killed In
• Action or who have Died of Wounds.
• 11:45 SONG: “This Land is your Land” Charlie Rousseau’s Sound Truck
• 11:50 Benediction: Veteran’s Chaplin Robert Anspach
• 11:52 Retire Colors: Framingham Firefighters, Local 1652
• 11:55 Taps: Charlie Rousseau’s Sound Truck
• 11:55 Benediction Robert Anspach
• 11:57 Retire Colors Framingham Firefighters, Local 1652
• 12:00 TAPS Charlie Rousseau’s Sound Truck