Salem First Muster To Include Black Hawk Helicopter, Cannon Salute

SALEM, MA — The 388th anniversary of the Salem First Muster will include the traditional muster fire ceremony on Salem Common, as well as a Black Hawk helicopter landing, Air Force F16 aircraft flyover, military display and parade.

The public is invited to attend the free event that will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the Black Hawk helicopter landing — weather permitting. The helicopter is set to remain on the scene for viewing throughout the event.

Starting at 8 a.m. there will be a memorial at the General Abbott monument of St. Peter's Church with a ceremony to follow at 9 a.m. at Armory Park.

The Parade of Units will begin at 9:30 a.m. and proceed to Salem Common where, at about 10 a.m., there will be a muster ceremony, U.S. Army helicopter landing on Salem Common and dropping off the National Guard Soldier of the year. There will also be an F16 Air Force flyover, 500 soldier pass in review and cannon salute.

Also on hand will be several static military displays of trucks, cannons, HMMWVs and military equipment.

The event will conclude at about 3 p.m. with a helicopter departure.

Free parking and refreshments will be available at O'Donnell's Funeral Home at 84 Washington Square in Salem.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)