A Poignant Series of Memorial Day Exercises Began Early on Monday Morning

Gathering under a heavy mist along The Great Road, the morning began with combined American Legion/V.F.W. Memorial Ceremonies at the Anthony-Hunt-Hamilton Post. Veterans, dignitaries, and residents were on hand for American Legion Chaplain Arthur Strafuss’s opening prayer, the memorial wreath ceremony, a volley fired by Airmen from Hanscom Air Force Base, and the day’s first rendition of echo Taps performed by buglers from the BHS Marching Band. A rifle volley and echo Taps were featured in each of the morning’s stops – Image (c) JMcCT, 2018 all rights reserved – Click to view larger image

Traffic stopped while the group walked across The Great Road, through the cemetery gates, and climbed the hill to the Civil War Memorial at Shawsheen Ceremony. Representing the Patriotic Ceremonies Committee, Bobbie Ennis introduced American Legion Post Commander Jon O’Connor, VFW Commander David Spence, and Donald Corey, President of the Bedford Historical Society – Image (c) JMcCT, 2018 all rights reserved – Click to view larger image

Leaving the cemetery, the group walked to the 1926 bridge across the Shawsheen River where Bedford Veterans Services Officer Bill Linnehan and Arthur Smith, a Veteran of the Naval Submarine Service, conducted a ceremony honoring Bedford’s Navy Veterans – Image (c) JMcCT, 2018 all rights reserved – Click to view larger image

Formal exercises resumed at the Old Burying Ground on Springs Road at 10 am. Bedford Minuteman Company Captain James Ringwood introduced Donald Corey who talked about Bedford’s role in the Revolutionary War, and Terrence Parker who talked about the several slaves buried there who also served in the War – Image (c) JMcCT, 2018 all rights reserved – Click to view larger image