City of Boston Independence Day Program

9 a.m. Official Flag Ceremony, City Hall Plaza

Master of Ceremonies, Colonel Gerald T. Wellman (Ret.). National Anthem sung by Dana Whiteside. Pledge of Allegiance by Commander David Bauer. USN of the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). Welcoming remarks by Mayor Menino and musical selections by the Zarba/Shea Military Band.

9:30 a.m. Parade from City Hall Plaza to Tremont Street

Boston Police Department Special Operations Division (Motorcycles), Zarba/Shea Military Band, Boston Police Honor Guard, Boston City and State Officials, Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Marching Unit from the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), the Wilmington Minutemen Co. and The Middlesex County Volunteers Fife & Drum.

9:40 a.m. Halt for Honors at the Old Granary Burial Ground

Wreaths placed by Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company on the graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine and Peter Faneuil. Taps & Salvos by Wilmington Minutemen. Parade resumes to Bromfield Street to Washington Street to the Old State House.

9:45 a.m. Reading of Declaration of Independence, Old State House

Trumpet call. Pledge of Allegiance read by Sailor of the Year, USS Oak Hill (LSD 51). Introduction of the Captain Commanding, Paul J. Covell of Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and Reading of Declaration of Independence. Yankee Doodle by Zarba/Shea Military Band and God Bless America sun by Dana Whiteside.

10 a.m. Parade Re-forms

Congress Street to North Street, ending at Faneuil Hall. 

10:30 a.m. Patriotic Exercises at Faneuil Hall

Musical selections by the Zarba/Shea Military Band. Processional of Dignitaries. Battle Hym of the Republic sung by Dana Whiteside. Greetings from the City of Boston by Mayor Menino. Presenation of certificate of recognition to Iraq War veteran, Troy Yocum. Remarks by author and historian, Paul Lockhart. Oration by CNN chief national correspondent, John King. Stars and Stripes Forever performed by Zarba/Shea Military Band and the National Anthem sung by Dana Whiteside. Exit processional by Zarba/Shea Military Band.