See below for a list of local Memorial Day parades, ceremonies and events in 2024.
Teaching the meaning of Memorial Day to your children can be tricky. It's easy to get lost in the rush of picnics, parades and fun during what many see as the unofficial start to summer. However, communities all around the United States will hold celebrations to pay respect and remembrance to those who have died serving our country. These events can be a wonderful way to teach your children about the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Did you know that ...
- The Grand Army of the Republic began decorating the graves of fallen service members with flowers in May 1868, which was then known as "Decoration Day".
- In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, to be observed on the last Monday in May, moving it from the static date of May 30, in order to create a 3-day weekend.
- On the Thursday before Memorial Day, small American flags are placed at each of the 400,000+ gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries nation-wide.
- To encourage more people to observe Memorial Day, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act in 2000, which asks people to stop what they are doing at 3:00pm local time and observe a minute of silence to honor those who lost their lives defending the country.
- On Memorial Day, the flag should first be raised to the top of the staff, then slowly lowered to half-staff, until noon when it should be raised to the top of the staff for the rest of the day.
- Red poppies are considered the Memorial Day flower. There is a poem called "In Flanders Fields" that refers to the fields of poppies growing among soldiers' graves during the First World War.
"We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them." ~Francis A. Walker
For further reading, visit:
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Arlington National Cemetery on Wikipedia
Local parades, ceremonies and events:
Billerica
The Memorial Day parade will not be scheduled this year.
Chelmsford
The Annual Chelmsford Memorial Day parade and ceremony will be held in North Chelmsford. Parade steps off at 10:00am from American Legion Post and proceeds to the common in the center. Refreshments served in the Community Center across the street at the conclusion of the ceremony..
Dracut
The 2024 Memorial Day parade will begin at 11 AM at the Greenmont Avenue School and end at Dracut High School.
Dunstable
Dunstable's Memorial Day parade is on Sunday May 26, starting at 1 PM near the library.
Groton
The annual Memorial Day parade will step off at 9 AM from Legion Hall. See event listing for full route.
Littleton
The annual Memorial Day parade will begin at Donelans near Littleton center at 9:30 AM and march to Westlawn Cemetery.
Lowell *
Lowell's annual Memorial Day observance and ceremony is Tues, May 21 5pm at Lowell City Hall, Lowell. The ceremony will include a speaking program, Lowell High School JROTC presenting colors, national anthem, flag raising, and light refreshments
Tewksbury
The Memorial Day parade will begin at 11 AM from the Ryan School through the town center and end at the Aubuchon Hardware plaza.
Westford
Westford holds their Memorial Day event on Sunday, May 26. Ceremonies will take place at monuments and cemeteries from 9 AM to 11 AM, followed by a small parade and flag folding ceremony on the Town Common, starting at 12 PM.
Annual Memorial Day BBQ will be help Saturday, May 25th. There will be BBQ, face paining, kids games, obstacle course, touch-a-truck, live music and more!
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