Woburn Veterans Day Parade 2016: Schedule, Order of March, Map and More

WOBURN, MA — Veterans Day is on Friday, and Woburn residents will gather in the common to honor those who have served and to pay tribute to local veterans. The annual Woburn Veterans Day Parade will be held Friday morning.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Day marks an armistice, or a temporary cessation of hostilities, between Allied nations and Germany during the first world ward. In November of the following year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.

However, Armistice Day was originally set aside to honor veterans of World War 1, but following World War 2 in 1954, Congress amended the act of 1938 by striking out the word Armistice and replacing it with the word Veterans. President Dwight D. Eisenhower later issued a Veterans Day Proclamation which stated:

"In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible."

Here's a breakdown of the Woburn festivities:

SCHEDULE

Marchers will assemble on the Woburn/Winchester line at Cross and Main Street. Marchers will walk from there to Woburn Common, for an 11 a.m. ceremony

Muster: 10:15 a.m.

Call to Order: 10:30 a.m.

Forward: 10:40 a.m.

Ceremony: 11 a.m.

ORDER OF MARCH

First Division

• Chief Marshall: Disabled American Veterans Chapter 88, Dave Epps
• Chief of Staff: American Legion Post 101, Commander William Murray
• Honor Guard: Woburn Police Department
• Woburn City Band
• Honor Guard: Woburn Fire Department
• City and State Officials and Guests of Honor

Second Division

• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 88
• American Legion Post 101
• Marine Corps League – Woburn Leatherneck Detachment
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 543
• Veterans in cars
• American Legion Post 101 Ladies Auxiliary

Third Division

• Elks Lodge #908
• Knights of Columbus Council #77
• Loyal Order of Moose
• Masons
• Woburn High School Band
• Woburn Little League Boys and Girls
• Girl Scouts
• Boy Scouts
• Boys and Girls Club
• Fire Department Protective Unit

CEREMONY SCHEDULE

• Posting of the Colors – All Units
• Raising of the Flag – Commander Dave Epps D.A.V. 88,
• Commander Bill Murray American Legion Post 101,
• Commander Michael Downs VFW 543
• Pledge of Allegiance – Commander George Poole United Veterans Council

• Opening Prayer – Deacon Phil Hardcastle
• Selection by Woburn City Band and Joanne Campbell “Armed Forces Medley”

• Message from Mayor Scott Galvin
• Message from U.S. Congresswoman Katherine Clark
• Message from Senator Kenneth Donnelly
• Message from Representative James Dwyer
• Messages from City Officials
• Larry Guiseppe on the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam War
• Reading of Governors Proclamation read by Woburn
• Memorial High School Student.
• Selection by Woburn High School Band
• Roll Call read by Commander George Poole United Veterans Council
• Special Roll Call of Woburn KIA’s in Vietnam War

• Introduction of Vietnam Veterans in attendance today
• Benediction – Deacon Phil Hardcastle
• Firing of Volley Woburn Leatherneck Detachment
• Taps Woburn City Band followed by National Anthem
• Woburn City Band and Woburn High School Band sung byJoanne Campbell
• Colors Dismissed

MAP

Image by Joe Lipovich, Patch Staff