Bedford Memorial Day Ceremonies are Monday

Memorial Day is Monday, May 27, and in Bedford, several ceremonies and events will be taking place, according to the schedule on the Bedford town website. 

Below is the list of ceremonies to be held in Bedford, listed by time, provided by the Town of Bedford: 

8:30 a.m.: Assemble 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 participating, followed by Firing Squad Volleys and playing of TAPS.

8:45 a.m.: Walk 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 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.

10:00 a.m.: Old Burying Ground: Capt. Bryan Nash of Minutemen Co. to introduce Lee Yates from the Historical Society who will talk briefly about Old Burying Ground. Minuteman Bryan Nash 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.

10:30 a.m.: Assemble for PARADE at Mudge Way.

10:40 -10:50 a.m.: Bedford High School - Fallen Veterans Memorial Tribute. Roses placed on memorials by BHS students. Firing Squad Volleys are followed by TAPS to close ceremony.

11:00 a.m.: Parade Step off time. (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 a.m.).

LINE OF MARCH: Police Motorcycle - Bedford Police Honor Guard - Patriotic Holiday Committee - Grand Marshals - Dignitaries - State and Local Officials – Col. Genatempo - Veterans – Women’s Auxiliary-- R.O.T.C. Marching Unit – BHS Marching Band - Bedford Minutemen – VA Bus. (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. Expected arrival: approx. 11:15 a.m.

11:15 a.m.: BEDFORD VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK CEREMONIES: Greetings and welcome by Paul Purchia. Invocation will be given by Gen. DePriest. Bedford High School Band will play “GOD BLESS AMERICA.” William Moonan (Selectmen Chair) will speak, followed by Sen. Mike Barrett and Rep. Ken Gordon. Paul Purchia will introduce Col. Genatempo who will give Keynote Address. Introduction of Bedford student who will read their 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, Vietnam and Iraq. Raising of the Flag by our Grand Marshals Ernest Scheyder and Joe Damery while the Bedford High School Band plays our National Anthem. Frank Holmes to offer Benediction. Volleys fired followed by TAPS. This will conclude the 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 a.m.

 Contact Paul Purchia at home 781-275-2464, or by cell at 781-789-8974 for more information.