How To Remember Natick's Heroes This Memorial Day Weekend

NATICK, MA — With America celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, Memorial Day events in Natick could have a more patriotic bent than in previous years.

Memorial Day Weekend runs May 23-25, with the holiday itself falling on Monday, the 25th.

Subscribe

Memorial Day is traditionally a somber recognition of soldiers who died in the Revolutionary War and the American Civil War, fought to establish and maintain freedom and liberty for all, and in every war with U.S. involvement since.

A National Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time, and Massachusetts residents are encouraged to pause wherever they are for one minute of silence and join other Americans in honoring the men and women who died in U.S. military service.

Natick will mark Memorial Day on the 25th with a parade and remembrance ceremony. All veterans and active-duty military personnel are welcome to march in the parade.

The day's schedule includes the following, according to a public notice.

8-8:15 a.m. Parade formation on South Street, between Main Street and Washington Street.

8:30 a.m. Flag ceremony in Moran Square at the Natick Center MBTA station.

8:45 a.m. Parade marches to and around the Town Common.

9 a.m. Ceremony begins at the common, and will include:

• Opening remarks by John T. Martin, Veterans Services officer.
• Benediction
• “National Anthem,” Natick High School Band
• Remarks, office of state Sen. Karen Spilka
• Remarks, state Rep. David Linsky
• Remarks, Select Board Chair Kathryn Coughlin
• Wreath placement at Grand Army of the Republic Monument, local scouts
• Keynote address, Dave Josselyn, Vietnam veteran
• “America the Beautiful,” Natick High School Chorus
• “Taps,” Natick High School Band.

The parade then reforms and will march from East Central Street to West Central Street, Forest Avenue and Pond Street.

The parade will make stops along the route for moments of silence and “Taps,” in honor of the fallen service members at Old Dell Park Cemetery and St. Patrick's Cemetery, both on Pond Street.

In case of bad weather, the town will decide by 7 a.m. if the events need to be moved indoors. They would then start at 9 a.m. at the Natick Community Senior Center, 117 East Central St.

See Also:

Veterans Day And Memorial Day Are Not The Same: 5 Things To Know

Are you planning an event for Memorial Day or any other time this spring or summer? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!