ICYMI: Sudbury's Memorial Day Parade And Festivities 2018

SUDBURY, MA—Sudbury’s Memorial Day Parade, Grinnell Park Ceremonies, and Hosmer House Program are being held on Monday, May 28. Catch he parade or march with participants as they visit all the War Memorials in Sudbury. Festivities also include honoring an outstanding Sudbury citizen serving as Parade Marshal, the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute, Company F, 12th Georgia Infantry, and the American Legion fire musket and rifle salutes.

The parade and ceremonies honor veterans of all wars that involved Sudbury residents, starting with King Philip’s War of 1676 through today’s conflicts.

Accompanied by her family, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ingrid Centurion, U.S. Army (Retired), a distinguished Army veteran and Sudbury resident, will serve as 2018 Parade Marshal. Read more about her here.

All veterans are invited to join in the line of march at Rugged Bear Plaza. Uniforms are not required, but civilian clothes that respect the dignity of the occasion (dark slacks, white dress shirt, and hat that identifies your branch of service or veterans’ organization are appropriate) are appreciated. Transportation will be provided for those who wish to participate but feel they are not capable of marching along.

The main part of the Memorial Day Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Rugged Bear Plaza, 410 Boston Post Road, where the parade marshal, Boy Scouts, and a delegation from the Native American Cultural Center join members of the Sudbury Military Family Network and veterans’ organizations, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute, the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companies, and Company F, 12th Georgia Regiment. Musket and rifle salutes are fired at each stop by the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute, Company F, 12th Georgia Infantry and the American Legion.

The parade marches east along Route 20 then north on Concord Road, with stops at the Goodnow Library Civil War Monument, the Wadsworth Monument (King Philip’s War), and the World War II, Korean and Vietnam Memorials at Wadsworth Cemetery. As the parade continues north on Concord Road, Girl Scouts and Brownies join the marchers at Our Lady of Fatima Church.

At about 11 a.m., the parade reaches Grinnell Park in the town center for concluding remarks and final tributes at the World War I Monument followed by the Memorial Day Program.

Music is performed by the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companies and Girl Scouts along with musket and rifle salutes. The Sudbury garden clubs dedicate the Blue Star Marker, and the United Native American Council will perform a ceremony of peace. The Council has performed this ceremony for more than 30 years during the Sudbury Memorial Day observance. Parade Marshal, Lieutenant Colonel Centurion, will be recognized, followed by her remarks. Last, the names of Sudbury veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day are read aloud. Taps will be played by Robert Coe and U.S. Navy Captain (Retired) Paul Mawn.

Memorial Day Activities begin at Heritage Park at noon. The Hosmer House, 299 Old Sudbury Road, is open May 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The parlor features displays that recognize town and school employees and those who worked on various town committees who passed away in 2017.

The Hosmer House store offers cup plates, dolls, ornaments, books, and the popular Sudbury throws that feature Sudbury‘s historical buildings. Refreshments served, and entrance is free of charge.

Parade Route and Approximate Schedule
7:30 a.m.
Revolutionary War Memorial Salute at Revolutionary War Cemetery
8:30 a.m.
Commemorative ceremonies at Old North Cemetery and New North Cemetery
9 a.m.
Parade assembles at Rugged Bear Plaza
9:30 a.m.
Parade begins at Rugged Bear Plaza
9:50 a.m.
Civil War Monument at Goodnow Library
10 a.m.
Colonel Bonazzoli Salute/Wadsworth Monument Salute
10:25 a.m.
WW II, Korea, and Vietnam War Monuments, Wadsworth Cemetery
10:45 a.m.
Girl Scouts and Brownies join parade at Our Lady of Fatima
11 a.m.
WWI memorial and Memorial Day Program at Grinnell Park at Town Center

Photo via town of Sudbury