Looking to mark Memorial Day? Here are some events planned across Greater Fall River
FALL RIVER — Memorial Day is Monday, May 30, a national holiday established to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Across the U.S., it is marked by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades to remember men and women who died while serving in the military.
The past two pandemic years have upended many traditional Memorial Day observances in Greater Fall River and beyond, parades and in-person events particular, with some cities and towns opting to instead hold socially distanced rolling parades. But it looks like this year's events will return to some sense of normalcy, as communities gather together once again.
Here's a roundup of observances planned for Memorial Day weekend across Greater Fall River:
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Fall River
Fall River marks Memorial Day with a number of events stretching Friday through Monday. All are open to the public and will be held rain or shine. From a flag-raising to a wreath-laying to a motorcade to a parade, here's a rundown of what's happening and when:
FRIDAY, MAY 27:
The City of Fall River will be conducting a flag-raising ceremony at 10 a.m. at the main entrance of Oak Grove Cemetery on Prospect Street.
The Fall River War Veterans Council, in conjunction with Rolling Thunder New England, will also be conducting the Washing of the Vietnam Wall at 4:30 p.m. at Bicentennial Park.
FRIDAY, MAY 27, and SATURDAY, MAY 28:
Fall River’s graves officer and volunteers will be placing approximately 11,000 American Flags on veterans’ graves throughout the city and will also place 30 memorial wreaths on veterans’ monuments throughout the city.
SATURDAY, MAY 28:
The Fall River War Veterans Council in conjunction with Rolling Thunder New England will be conducting a candlelight ceremony at the Vietnam Wall at 8:30 p.m. in Bicentennial Park. Prior to the ceremony, there will be an audio and video presentation commencing at 6 p.m. and running until the candle lighting.
SUNDAY, MAY 29:
Richard Urban, Esq., and the Polish Kanji Association will host a ceremony at the Polish Monument at 8 a.m. on Plymouth Avenue Green, in front of Holy Trinity Church. There will be a mass held in the church at 9 a.m., with breakfast being served following mass in the Holy Trinity Hall.
At Griffin Park, located at Fourth, Fifth and Branch streets, a memorial ceremony in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James T. Griffin who was killed in action in Germany on June 11, 1943, during WWII will be held at 11 a.m. Participants will assemble at Corky Row Club on Third and Branch streets immediately preceding the ceremony.
At Bicentennial Park, the Italian American Veterans and the Sons of Italy will be conducting a ceremony at the Italian War Veterans’ Monument at just prior to the main ceremony at the Vietnam Wall.
The Fall River War Veterans Council, in conjunction with Rolling Thunder New England, will conduct a wreath laying ceremony at the Vietnam Wall at 2:30 p.m. Prior to the ceremony, there will be a motorcade into Bicentennial Park by Rolling Thunder New England.
MONDAY, MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 30:
• The city of Fall River will hold a memorial ceremony in honor of U.S. Army Pvt. Michael E. Bouthot, U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Robert J. Barrett and U.S. Army Spc. Scott A. Andrews, who were killed in action in the Global War on Terrorism. This ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at Snake Hill in North Park on President Avenue.
• Richard Urban, Esq. will hold a memorial ceremony in honor of U.S. Army Corporal David L. Miller, a WWII Prisoner of War and survivor of the Bataan Death March of 1942, who died in a Japanese prison camp in 1943. Ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Miller Green located at the intersection of South Main and Shove streets.
• The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 207 will be conduct its annual Memorial Day ceremony at noon aboard the USS Massachusetts at Battleship Cove.
• The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 207 and the Fall River War Veterans’ Council will hold a prayer service and military honors at 1:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Monument located in upper Kennedy Park on South Main Street, across from St. Anne’s Church.
• The City of Fall River and the Fall River War Veterans’ Council will present its annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade will step off from Kennedy Park, then travel up South Main Street, east on Sullivan Drive to Third Street, before ending at the Government Center atrium, where closing ceremonies will be held. Parade participants will assemble at Kennedy Park, at the corner of South Main Street and Bradford Avenue at 12:30 p.m. and step off is at 2 p.m.
Freetown
While no official ceremony or public event is planned in Freetown, the town will mark Memorial Day in other ways.
Volunteers from the Freetown VFW Post 6643 and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will be replacing flags on the graves of veterans throughout the town. Wreaths will also be replaced at Freetown's Memorial Park and other memorial sites.
Freetown Post 6643 will be participating in the Memorial Day Parade in New Bedford.
Swansea
Swansea will pay tribute to local fallen heroes with a Memorial Day ceremony and parade.
The ceremony is planned for Saturday, May 28, at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Green on Gardner's Neck Road, where a traditional wreath placing and Color Guard ceremony will be followed by presentations. Attendees are then invited to breakfast at the VFW Post #2045.
The event is sponsored by the American Legion Post #303, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2045 and Swansea's Department of Veterans Services.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the American Legion Post #303 on Ocean Grove Avenue.
On Monday, May 30, the town's Memorial Day parade will step off at 1 p.m. from St. Francis of Assisi Church, 530 Gardner's Neck Road.
According a press release from Kevin Serpa, Swansea's director of veterans services, "Veterans of all wars are invited to march in the parade and display the continuation of patriotism in all generations."
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Somerset
Somerset's Department of Veterans Services will host a Memorial Day ceremony and parade on Monday, May 30, starting at 10 a.m.
The parade route will begin on Luther Avenue, then continue north on County Street, east on Center Street, south on Riverside Avenue, west on Wood Street, and south on County Street before ending at the VFW Hall.
For more information, call 508-646-2827.
Westport
Westport's Memorial Day observance kicks off with a wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday, May 28, at 9 a.m.
The ceremony schedule is as follows:
9 a.m. at American Legion Post — The first stop is the historic American Legion post at 489 Sanford Road, home to both the American Legion James Morris Post 145 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 207.
9:15 a.m., Latessa Square — Our second stop is the memorial near the intersection of Tickle Road and Oak Avenue that is named for PFC Andre Latessa, US Marine Corps, who was killed in action in Vietnam on Aug. 18, 1967, at 19 years old.
9:30 a.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Post — The third stop is the Westport VFW. This post is named in memory of three members of the Ouellette family, Wilfred, Arthur, and Raymond, who were killed in action during World War II.
10 a.m., Fontaine Bridge — The fourth stop is at the bridge on Route 88, which is named for SP4 Normand Fontaine, US Army, who was killed in action in Vietnam on May 8, 1968, at 19 years old. The ceremony will take place on the northbound side at the small building.
10:15 a.m., Westport Point — The final stop is at the harbor at the southernmost end of Main Road. The significance of tossing a bouquet into the water at Westport Point is to honor and remember those service members who were lost at sea.
There will be a reading of a memorial poem, laying of a wreath/bouquet toss, a rifle salute by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 207 Honor Guard and playing of Taps.
Anyone who wishes to take part should meet in the American Legion parking lot by 9 a.m., or at whichever location they choose at least 10 minutes prior to the designated time.
A Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 30, starting at 9:30 a.m.
The parade will start with a brief ceremony at the WWI monument at the Town Hall, 816 Main Road, then proceed south down Main Road to Beech Grove Cemetery, 947 Main Road. This will be followed by a ceremony at the flag pole in the veterans section.
Service members, veterans, veterans’ organizations, Gold Star families, Scout troops, school bands, Westport Police and Fire departments, color guards, civic organizations, and elected officials are invited to march in the parade. Those interested in participating should gather in the Town Hall parking lot no later than 9 a.m.
For information on either event, contact Veterans’ Service Officer Carol Freitas at 508-636-1028 or freitasc@westport-ma.gov.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Memorial Day events in Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Westport
