North Reading Celebrates Memorial Day

Residents lined Park Street Monday morning to watch the Memorial Day parade and then gathered on the Town Common to listen to live music and speakers.

The day's events started with traditional prayer, roll call, musket volley and taps at the Riverside, Harmony Vale and Park Street Cemeteries, Director of Veterans Services Susan Magner said. 

The parade started at 10 a.m. at the Town Common. The parade was organized by the North Reading Company of Minit and Militia. The HQ Company, 25^th Marine Regiment Color Guard along with the National Guard 272^nd Chemical Company with four vehicles and eight soldiers, took part in the parade. The police department, fire department, town officials, boy and girl scouts, North Reading Company of Minit and Militia, North Reading High School band, Fourth of July Committee, North Reading Moms and Tots, Girl Scouts, Martin's Pond Association, North Reading Rotary Club, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, North Reading Historical Society, Trinity Evangelical Church and more also marched or rode in the parade.

Residents sat on the Town Common after the parade to listen to speakers and the North Reading High School band. Selectmen Chairman Sean Delaney expressed gratitude for the men and women who risked their lives to fight for our freedom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, freedom is not free," he said.

He went on to quote the Randy Travis song, America Will Always Stand.

Walking through the fires of danger
There are those who gave their lives
They're the world's greatest heroes,
And we won't forget their sacrifice.

So raise the banner, called Old Glory
Let us join our fellow man
History will write the story,
America will always stand. 

If you missed the parade, take a look at the photos and video attached.