Where to observe Memorial Day: Events planned across Greater Taunton

Kristina Fontes, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·5 min read

On Monday, May 30, towns and cities across the US will once more observe Memorial Day, a holiday established for honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

People across the country will be visiting cemeteries and memorials, or placing flags on graves, or gathering with family and friends or participating in parades to honor the people who have died while serving in the military.

Observances, ceremonies and parades are planned all over the Greater Taunton area.

Here’s a look at what cities and towns in our area will be doing to honor the fallen over Memorial Day weekend:

TAUNTON

Taunton veterans' organizations have organized Memorial Day commemorations for Monday, May 30.

At 11 a.m., there will be an annual salute to the city’s veterans at the WWI “Doughboy” memorial on Taunton Green. Veterans of the Sgt Shane Duffy American Legion Post 500, David Adams VFW Post 611, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 57 and the Taunton Area Vietnam Veterans will be gathered there.

From there, ceremonies will move to the WWII and Korean War memorials on the lawn at the Bristol County Superior Courthouse, before proceeding to the Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and Global War on Terrorism memorials on Church Green.

There will also be a Memorial Day parade, starting at 1:15 pm.

The parade will kick off on Broadway (between Adam and Dartmouth streets) and will proceed down to Taunton Green.

There is no rain date for these activities.

BERKLEY

On Monday, May 30, at 10 a.m., there will be a Memorial Day parade at the Berkley Common, and later in the day the Berkley American Legion will have a buffet, at 1 p.m.

DIGHTON

Starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30, at Veterans Memorial Park, 979 Somerset Ave., “the town’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony in observance of the longstanding tradition of honoring those who died while in military service to this country” will be held in Dighton, according to a post on the town’s Facebook page.

There will be remarks from town officials including the Board of Selectmen, as well as Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson.

A wreath of thanks will be placed and there will be a salute.

Rachel Rapoza will sing the national anthem and “God Bless America,” and that will be followed by a dove release.

There will be light refreshments after the ceremony.

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.

LAKEVILLE

The Lakeville Historical Commission will hold its annual Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m. The observance will begin at the fire station and proceed to the Old Town House, where there will be an exhibit as well as refreshments.

MIDDLEBORO

The parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30, at Town Hall. A ceremony will follow the parade at the War Memorial Park on Main Street.

Memorial Day 2019 was one to remember in Middleboro with the unfurling of two 90-foot American flags - the Mount Rushmore flag and World War 2 flag - on the Town Hall lawn at the conclusion of the annual parade and observances. This year, the Memorial Day events are back on, with the exception of the parade, after a year off in 2020 due to the pandemic.

NORTON

All veterans are invited to march in the Norton Veterans’ Council’s Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 30, at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the Henri A. Yelle Elementary School at 64 W. Main St. There will be a float, for veterans who prefer to ride. Contact eflett@nortonmaus.com to join the veterans’ float.

RAYNHAM

The parade route will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 28, at the Merrill Elementary School and proceed down Pleasant Street, through the four corners and along South Main Street. The parade will turn onto King Phillip Street and conclude at the Gazebo.

There will be a ceremony at 11:15 at Gazebo Park.

REHOBOTH

There will be a Memorial Day parade in Rehoboth on Monday, May 30, starting at 10:15 a.m., at 55 Bay State Rd. and the Anawan School. The parade will proceed to the Veterans Memorial Gazebo. There will then be a ceremony, beginning around 11:15 to 11:30 a.m., in honor of USMC Sgt Jeniffer Lindgard. The ceremony will end with a flag raising at noon.

The Rehoboth Police Department announced some road closures in a Facebook post. The restrictions will be in place from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.:

  • Rte. 118 North from County Street to Rt. 44 will be closed to all traffic and detoured.

  • Rte. 118 South from Rt. 44 to County Street will be restricted to parade participants and parade drop offs. No thru traffic will be allowed.

  • Bay State Road from Rte.44 (Redway Plain) to County Street will be restricted to parade spectators.

  • Locust Avenue from Summer Street to Bay State Road will be restricted to parade spectators only.

There will be no parking allowed at Rte.44 near Red way Plain; Bay State Road in the area immediately surrounding the Gazebo; and Pond Street, in the area of the Village Cemetery and Red Way Plain.

Parade parking will be available at: Goff Hall; Rehoboth Congregational Church; Village Cemetery; and the Sports Complex at Danforth Street and Rte. 44.

Anyone who would like to participate and march in the parade is welcome. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required, by either calling 508-252-4467 or sending an email to veterans@rehobothma.

— With reporting from Ashley Schuler of The Herald News and Kathy Bossa of the Brockton Enterprise

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Greater Taunton Memorial Day 2022 events: observances, parades, more