Memorial Day Parade Schedule Announced

The Memorial Day celebration is coming together to be a memorable salute to the men and women of Westborough who have served our country. The town-wide event takes place on Monday, May 30, beginning at 8 a.m. 

The public is invited to attend the many morning tributes. Residents, visitors, families and friends traditionally line the streets for the parade which begins at about 9 a.m. at the on South Street and continues into the Rotary before advancing down West Main Street to the Forbes Municipal Building. 

Along the way, the parade will makes stops at Pine Grove, Midland and Memorial cemeteries where dignitaries will lay wreaths and pay tribute to Westborough veterans. 

This year, the Grand Marshall is longtime Westborough resident First Lt. James A. Willwerth, who served honorably with the US Marine Corps. During the Korean War, he was activated and sent to El Toro Marine Air Station in California before shipping out to Asugi Air Base in Japan. After three years of active duty and earning the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and United Nation Service Medal, Willwerth was given an Honorable Discharge at South Boston Navy Yard on Febraury 9, 1962. 

Guest speakers at the ceremony include Sen. Scott Brown, R-MA, and state Rep. Matt Beaton, R-Shrewsbury. 

Elizabeth Callahan, President of the Honor Society, will read the Gettysburg Address and receive the American Legion School Medal. 

The Westborough High School marching band and band will march in the parade as well as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from Westborough. 

Others in the procession include the , , veterans, Board of Selectmen and . 

Clergy who will be offering prayer include Msgr. Michael Foley, Deacon Linda Borglund, Rev. Cynthia Frado, and Pastor Stephen Misarski. 

The schedule of events is as follows:

8 a.m.: Coffee and donuts. All participants meet at the VFW Post on Milk Street.

8:30 a.m.: Buses depart for

• Westborough High School band performs National Anthem
• Board of Selectmen will lay wreath
• Msgr. Michael Foley will lead prayer
• VFW Post 9013 honor guard will fire 3 volleys of rifle fire
• Westborough High School band buglers will play TAPS

9 a.m.: Buses arrive at Pine Grove Cemetery

• Parade will assemble from Baxter Street and proceed to Memorial Grove
• Westborough High School band will play National Anthem
• Board of Selectmen will present wreath
• Deacon Linda Borglund from the will lead prayer
• VFW Post 9013 Honor Guard will fire 3 volleys of rifle fire
• Westborough High School band buglers will play TAPS
• Gibbons Middle School band will perform a selected piece
• The procession will begin to Midland Cemetery on South Street

9:50 a.m.: Parade arrives at Midland Cemetery

• Westborough High School band will play National Anthem
• Board of Selectmen will lay wreath
• Rev. Cynthia Frado from the will lead prayer
• VFW Post 9013 Honor Guard will fire 3 volleys of rifle fire
• Westborough High School band buglers will play TAPS
• Gibbons Middle School band will play selected piece
• Procession will begin march to Forbes Municipal Building, World War I, World War II, Korean War and Gulf War memorials

10:15 a.m.: Parade arrives at Memorial Cemetery

• All units form at the Forbes Municipal Building
• MC welcome
• Westborough High School Girls Meet World will perform National Anthem
• Board of Selectmen chairperson Lydia Goldblatt will speak
• Guest speakers Sen. Scott Brown and State Rep. Matt Beaton will speak
• Gibbons Middle School band will play selected piece
• Introduction of Grand Marshall James A. Willwerth
• Elizabeth Callahan, President of the Westborough Honor Society, will read the Gettysburg Address
• Nancy Friis-Hansen, Commander of the American Legion Post 163, will present the American Legion School Medal and certificate for outstanding scholastic achievement
• Pastor Stephen Misarski from will lead prayer
• VFW Post 9013 will fire 3 volleys of rifle fire
• Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will read the names of Westborough veterans who passed away in 2010
• Westborough High School band buglers will play TAPS
• Westborough High School Band will play selected piece
• Conclusion of ceremony