Bedford’s Preparations are Underway for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25

The Honor Guard, preparing to lead the 2014 Memorial Day parade - Image (c) Barb Purchia, 2014
An Honor Guard representing Bedford’s Police and Fire Departments prepares to lead the 2014 Memorial Day parade – Image (c) Barb Purchia, 2014

Submitted by Bedford’s Patriotic Holidays Committee

Brochure illustrationBedford’s Patriotic Holidays Committee plans a full slate of events in honor of Memorial Day, May 25. The first ceremony takes place at the Anthony Hunt Hamilton American Legion Post on Great Road at 8:30 am, with events continuing through the morning. The parade steps off at 11 am, marching from Mudge Way, along Great Road and ending with a ceremony at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

At the American Legion/V.F.W.

  • 8:30 AMAssemble at the American Legion Post. Veterans-Dignitaries and Selectmen-R.O.T.C. Firing Squad. Bedford HS Band Members to sound TAPS, observe Legion Memorials. American Legion Chaplain Jerry Hartmann will offer prayer, memorial wreath ceremony with scouts assisting Brig. Gen. DePriest, followed by Firing Squad Volleys and playing of TAPS.
  • 8:45 AMWalk to Shawsheen Cemetery. Patriotic Holiday Committee Vice Chair greets everyone. Brig. Gen. Oscar DePriest offers prayer. Brief statements by American Legion Post Commander and VFW Commander. Don Corey of the Bedford Historical Society to give brief talk about Shawsheen Cemetery and Bedford’s Civil War soldiers. Firing Squad Volleys are followed by TAPS to close ceremony. Walk to Shawsheen River. Joe Piantedosi will begin ceremony to honor Navy Veterans. Malcolm Roberts of VFW and Jerry Hartmann of AL will offer prayers. Flowers tossed into Shawsheen River followed by Volleys and TAPS. Walk back to Legion and drive to Mudge Way.

At the Old Burying Ground

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  • 10:00 AM Minutemen Company Capt. Roy Kring to introduce Lori Eggert from the Bedford Historical Society who will talk briefly about Old Burying Ground. Captain Kring will read Roll Call of all Revolutionary War Veterans buried there. Terrence L. Parker will give a brief history about the ex-slaves buried there. Placing of wreath. Minuteman to play “Amazing Grace.” Musket shots by Minutemen, followed by TAPS by BHS Band members to close ceremony.

Tribute at Bedford High School’s Fallen Veterans Memorial

  • 10:45 -10:55 AM  . Brief remarks followed by placing of roses on memorials by BHS ROTC cadets. Firing Squad Volleys are followed by TAPS to close ceremony.

PARADE

(Note: In the event of heavy rains, Parade and outdoor ceremonies will be canceled and the Veterans Memorial Park ceremonies will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room/Auditorium of Town Hall starting approx. 11 AM).

  • 10:30 AM – Assemble on Mudge Way
  • 11:00 AM – Parade’s Line of March: Police Motorcycle – Bedford Police  & Firefighter Honor Guard – Grand Marshal – Bedford Minutemen- Gen. DePriest and Col. Vogel & Family- Veterans (Marching) – Women’s Auxiliaries – Veterans (Riding in Trim Tram) – Patriotic Holiday Committee – Dignitaries – State and Local Officials – R.O.T.C. Marching Unit – BHS Marching Band  – VA Bus for Hospitalized Vets. (Girl Scouts, Brownies, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will join the parade at the WWI Memorial on the Town Common).
  • March to Bedford Common (WW I Memorial). Brief remarks about the WW I Memorial by Lee Yates of the Bedford Historical Society, prayer will be offered by Malcolm Roberts, followed by Rifle Volleys, then TAPS. Parade will then continue down Great Road to Veterans Memorial Park.
  • 11:15 AM – Ceremony at Veterans’ Memorial Park: Greetings and welcome by Paul Purchia. Invocation will be given by Gen. DePriest. Bedford High School Band will play “GOD BLESS AMERICA.” Mark Siegenthaler (Selectmen Chair) will speak, followed by Rep. Ken Gordon. Paul Purchia will introduce Col. Michael Vogel who will give Keynote Address. Introduction of Bedford student who will read the winning Memorial Day essay. Joe Piantedosi to recognize all veterans in attendance and announce the Roll Call of Bedford Veterans who have passed on during the past year. American Legion and VFW Women’s Auxiliary Presidents will place a poppy on each plaque memorializing the fourteen Bedford men K.I.A. in WW II, Viet Nam and Iraq. Raising of the Flag by Grand Marshal Joe Bellino while the Bedford High School Band plays our National Anthem. Hugo Garcia to offer Benediction. Volleys fired followed by TAPS. This will conclude the day’s ceremonies.

Note: In case of heavy rains, outside activities will be canceled. Veterans Memorial Park ceremonies will be moved to the Multi-Purpose Room/Auditorium of Town Hall starting at 11 AM. Contact Paul Purchia 781-275-2464 (home) / 781-789-8974 (cell) for more information.

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Joe Piantedosi
May 24, 2015 8:14 am

The members of the Town’s Patriotic Holiday Committee have started a fund raiser to purchase a sign for Veterans Memorial Park which will be five feet wide with granite posts and gold lettering. We will be passing out flyers on Memorial Day which will have a form at the bottom for anyone who would like to make a tax deductible donation to the project. Please contact Joe Piantedosi (781-275-6077) or Paul Purchia 781-275-2464) for more details.

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