Each of the Wachusett towns has scheduled events to mark Memorial Day.
HOLDEN
The annual Memorial Day Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27, from the Holden Recreation Department, 1420 Main St. The parade stops at the cemeteries along the route down Main Street, offering a prayer and Taps. The parade is planned to include the Granite Brass band, a fife and drum corps, Scouts, and a special participant year: a tank.
PAXTON
Join us for the annual Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony. Starting at 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 27, join Paxton Boy Scouts Pack 105 for breakfast at the First Congregational Church. Beginning at 10 a.m., the parade will start from the Public Safety Building, 576 Pleasant St., to the town common, with the ceremony to follow. Rain location is the Paxton Center School.
After the ceremony, join Paxton American Legion Post 306 in paying respect (gun salute) at each of the three cemeteries in town: Old Cemetery behind the Congregational Church; Mooreland Cemetery at WWII Memorial, 261 Richards Ave.; Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Ave.
Post 306 invites everyone to the Legion Hall, 885 Pleasant St., for a luncheon following the last gun salute at WCMP.
PRINCETON
Veterans and their families are invited to a luncheon at noon Sunday, May 26, at the First Congregational Church, 14 Mountain Road.
Memorial Day Parade and Observances begin at 1 p.m. May 26. The observances and parade will begin in front of the First Congregational Church, across from the library.
RUTLAND
Rutland American Legion Post 310 has planned Memorial Day ceremonies for Monday, May 27.
After a series of assemblies starting at 7:45 and including prayer and reflections, a rifle salute, and the playing of Taps, Post members will gather in front of Community Hall to assemble for a parade. The parade starts at 10 a.m., and marches to Rural Cemetery central area and then to Rural Cemetery Pond. It then returns up Main Street to the town commons, to the World War I Memorial and the Old Burial Grounds, and finally to the Community Hall Common memorials.
Ceremonies will end at approximately 11:15 a.m.
STERLING
The Hiram O. Taylor American Legion Post 189 has announced that Sterling’s annual Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 27, beginning at 11 a.m. at Hillside Cemetery.
Buses for participants will start running at 10 a.m. from the Legion Hall on School Street to the Fire Station on Main Street, then to Hillside Cemetery on Route 62. Marchers will begin formation at 10:45 a.m. The parade will proceed to Oak Hill Cemetery, Old Cemetery, center of town, the Memorial Area behind the Fire Station for observance.
The Avenue of Flags will be on display Sunday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to Monday, May 27, at 3 p.m. at Hillside Cemetery, weather permitting. Anyone, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, who would like to help honor deceased veterans should arrive at the cemetery at 9 a.m. Sunday to help raise the flags.
