Memorial Day Parade Returns May 28

There's still time to sign up to march in this year's Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 28, and Richard Schatz of the United Veterans Council of Woonsocket says you'll be in good company.

The parade begins at the corner of Clinton and Cumberland Streets. Participants will gather behind the old Blockbuster Video store at 1 Cumberland St., said Schatz.

The parade will march from Clinton to Worral Street toward the Korean War/Vietnam War Memorial, where there will be a wreath laying ceremony, followed by the playing of Taps, and the Woonsocket High School band, said Ernest Boisvert, vice president of United Veterans Council of Woonsocket.

Then the parade will march up Worral Street onto Social Street to the Civil War Memorial at Monument Square, where there will be another wreath laying ceremony and a recital of the Gettysburg Address.

From there they'll continue to Veteran's Memorial Bridge for another wreath laying ceremony. Members of the Woonsocket High School ROTC and the Elks Emblem Club will carry flowers to the bridge and throw them into the river. "That is symbolic of our veterans who lost their lives at sea," said Boisvert.

The bridge is where dignitaries, including Mayor Leo Fontaine, will deliver their speeches, Schatz said. The speeches will be the end of the parade, Boisvert said, though the participants will continue to march down to Market Square, where they can pick up their vehicles.

This year's Grand Marshall is Thomas G. Paine, 83, who was also named Veteran of the Year on St. Patrick's Day. Paine, a chaplain who has served in the Navy and Army National Guard, has been very active in veterans affairs for many years, Schatz said, including fundraising and visits to ailing veterans. "He's always been a great help to all of us in the community," Schatz said.

Joining Paine in the march are The Woonsocket High School band, WFD Honor Guard, WPD Honor Guard, Woonsocket Middle School band, Woonsocket High School AFJR ROTC and Our Lady Queen of Matyrs Cub Scout Pack 2, Cub Scout Pack 6, The Knights of Columbus, the Elks, The RI Combat Motorcycle Association, and the Christian Motorcycle Group, as well as a parade float decked in patriotic decorations.

The event is rain or shine.

Anyone wishing to sign up to march in the parade can contact Schatz at 401-658-0085. Parade participants must arrive at 9 a.m.