Bedford to Celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 26

The 2013 observance at Memorial Park drew a large crowd - Image (c) Barbara Purchia, 2014 all rights reserved
The 2013 observance at Memorial Park drew a large crowd – Image (c) Barbara Purchia, 2014 all rights reserved

Submitted by Paul Purchia, Chair of Bedford’s Patriotic Holidays Committee

Please join us in honoring our veterans, especially remembering those veterans who paid the ultimate price in defense of our freedom.

Town events include:

8:30 AM: American Legion/VFW Memorial Ceremonies starting at American Legion Post and then to Shawsheen Cemetery. Included in the ceremony will be Don Corey of the Historical Society who will give a brief talk about the cemetery and Bedford’s Civil War soldiers. After ceremony will be a short walk to Shawsheen River to honor our navy veterans.

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10:00: Old Burying Ground Ceremony: Lee Yates will talk briefly about the Old Burying Ground, followed by Roll Call of Revolutionary War veterans and ex-slaves by Minuteman Capt. Bryan Nash. Terrence Parker, Esq. will give a brief history about the ex-slaves buried there, “Amazing Grace,” musket shots fired by Minutemen and TAPS.

10:40: BHS Fallen Veterans Memorial Plaza Tribute at Bedford High School.

11:00 AM: Town Parade Starts from Mudge Way, along Great Road, stopping at WWI Memorial on Town Common where Lee Yates of the Historical Society will offer brief remarks about the WWI memorial, then on to Veterans Memorial Park (next to Bedford Funeral Home).

11:15: Veterans Memorial Park Ceremonies: Invocation by Gen. Oscar DePriest, Bedford High School Band plays “God Bless America,” various speakers, (Keynote Address by Col. David Hiltz), a Bedford student will read their winning Memorial Day essay. WWII, Korean War and other veterans attending will be recognized and a Roll Call of Veterans who have passed on during the past year will be read. Poppies placed on memorials honoring 13 Bedford men killed in action during WWII, Viet Nam and Iraq. The raising of the Flag by our Grand Marshal Tony Gonsalves during the playing of our National Anthem by BHS Band. Benediction, volleys by the Air Force JROTC, and TAPS will conclude our ceremonies.

Contact Paul Purchia (781-275-2464) for more information.

(Note: In case of heavy rains, outside activities will be canceled. Veterans Memorial Park ceremonies will be moved to Bedford Town Hall).

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