Memorial Day Activities in Reading and North Reading

Memorial Day is celebrated with parades and ceremonies in both Reading and North Reading. Here are some details on the events that will take place on Memorial Day:

Reading will have its annual Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies starting at at 9:15 a.m. and they will continue at at 10:45 a.m., at 11:30 a.m. and then at the  at noon.

Veterans’ Service Officer Frank Driscoll will be the master of ceremonies. The events taking place at each cemetery are as follows:

Laurell Hill Cemetery

• Invocation by Rev. Darin V. Colarusso from St. Athanasius Catholic Church
• National Anthem by the  (RMHS) Band
• General Logan’s Memorial by Thomas Plano, RMHS Student General Orders
• America the Beautiful by RMHS Band
• Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address by Victoria Arthur, RMHS Student
• Memorial Day Address by Selectman Ben Tafoya
• Roll Call of Honor by Post Adjutants American Legion, V.F.W., D.A.V.
• Tribute to the Unknown Soldier by the Ladies Auxiliaries American Legion, V.F.W., D.A.V.
• Placing of the Wreath by the Commanders 
• Guest Speaker Brigadier General Jack Hammond 
• Battle Hymn of the Republic by RMHS Band 
• Taps by RMHS Horn Ensemble

Forest Glen Cemetery

• Memorial Day Essay by Nicolas Miller, RMHS Student
• V.F.W. Post 685 Services by Thomas Fennelly, Commander, Post Officers
• Roll Call of Honor by Post Adjutant
• National Anthem by RMHS Horn Ensemble
• Taps by RMHS Horn Ensemble

Charles Lawn Cemetery 

• In Flander’s Field Julia Sidman, RMHS Student
• American Legion Post 62 Services by Mike Pelosi, Commander, Post Officers and Auxiliary
• Guest Speaker Rebecca Crupi, R.O.T.C.
• Roll Call of Honor Post Adjutant
• National Anthem by RMHS Horn Ensemble
• Taps RMHS Horn Ensemble

Wood End Cemetery

• In Flander’s Field Jake Hall, Invited Guest
• Memorial Day Message by William Hughes, Capt., Retired, U.S.M.C.
• D.A.V. Chapter 37 Services Don Horton, Post Commander
• Roll Call of Honor Post Adjutant
• National Anthem by RMHS Horn Ensemble
• Taps by RMHS Horn Ensemble
• In the event of inclement weather events will be held at the American Legion Post 62.

The parade will start after the cemetery ceremonies at the American Legion Post 62 and end at the Laurel Hill Cemetery. Please see the attached map for the parade route.

Ceremonies in North Reading will start at at 7 a.m. and continue at at 7:45 a.m. and at 8:30 a.m. 

The following will take place at each cemetery:

• Opening Remarks, Prayer and Roll of Honor, Sgt. Geoff Bemiss
• Firing of three volleys led by Sgt. Bill McDonnell
• Taps by Colleen Finnegan and Christopher Vozzella

The North Reading parade starts at 10 a.m. Those in the parade will leave the common, proceed down Park Street and turn right on Mt. Vernon Street. The parade will then turn right on Haverhill Street and then right onto Park Street and continue to Bow Street.

The ceremony on the common will start at 11 a.m. with an invocation by Pastor Joshua Wilson from Martin's Pond Union Baptist Church. The ceremony will also include songs performanced by the Band, placing of wreaths, speeches by Selectmen Chairman Sean Delaney and State Representative Brad Jones, firing of volleys and more. After the ceremony, residents are invited to the for coffee and refreshments.

Veterans Director Susan Magner said, "I am excited about the fact that we are getting more veterans and troops involved."

All branches of the service will be involved in the parade, she said, and she is pleased to acknowledge additional members of the military.