Parade Starts Reading's Memorial Day Observance

Reading will observe Memorial Day starting with the town's annual parade at 9 a.m. The parade begins at the American Legion on Ash Street and continues to the Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Among the many speakers will be Selectman John Arena at Laurel Hill (9:15 a.m.), Selectman Barry Berman at the Forest Glen Cemetery (10:45 a.m.), and Selectman Andy Friedmann at Wood End Cemetery (noon). At Laurel Hill, the Colors will be presented by the Reading Police Department Honor Guard, followed by the national anthem played by the Reading Memorial High School band. The national anthem will be played by the RMHS Horn Ensemble at Forest Glen, Charles Lawn, and Wood End.

Medals of Liberty will be presented to the parents of Petty Officer William Hansen, who died in 1987, and to Evelyn Croce, whose son Robert died in the Vietnam War.

Photo of flag tribute to veterans on the Boston Common by Bob Holmes