(WPRI) — While Memorial Day is often seen as the unofficial start to summer, the holiday is really a time to honor those who lost their lives defending our freedom.
Here are some events that are going to be held around Southern New England to honor our fallen service members:
MONDAY, MAY 29 (MEMORIAL DAY)
8:30 a.m. — Barrington held a wreath-laying event at Victory Gate at Barrington High School, followed by a parade from the high school to Town Hall for a formal ceremony.
9 a.m. — North Kingstown held a wreath-laying ceremony at the Civil War Memorial at Town Hall and Veterans Memorial Park.
9 a.m. — Dartmouth’s parade stepped off at the Town Landing on Gulf Road and ended at the Elm Street Cemetery for a ceremony.
9:30 a.m. — The Bristol Veterans Council held its parade starting at the North Burial Ground and ending at the War Memorial Garden behind the Burnside Building. The ceremony concluded with a wreath-laying.
10 a.m. — Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial is open to the public at Fort Adams State Park until 6 p.m.
10 a.m. —East Providence’s parade stepped off from the Old Oldham School on Bullocks Point Avenue and traveled to the American Legion Post 10 on Willett Avenue.
10 a.m. — East Greenwich’s parade started at the Academy Field and wound through the Hill and Harbor District. It stopped at First Avenue for a brief wreath-laying ceremony, before proceeding to Town Hall for closing ceremonies.
10 a.m. — Fairhaven’s parade stepped off at the intersection of Main and Center streets and proceeded north on Main Street to Riverside Cemetery. There was a ceremony in the cemetery at the Civil War monument with participation from military and veterans’ groups and others.
10 a.m. — Somerset kicked off its parade on Luther Avenue. The route traveled 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.
10 a.m. — Warwick held a Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial park, located outside of Veterans Middle School. A wreath-laying ceremony and a flag retirement ceremony also took place.
10 a.m. — Attleboro held a parade starting at the intersection of Riverbank Road and Mechanic Street. It continued through the city and ended at Capron Park.
10:15 a.m. — Rehoboth’s parade started near the C.O.A. & American Legion on Bay State Road and ended at the Veterans’ Memorial Gazebo at Redway Plain.
10:30 a.m. — South Kingstown’s memorial ceremony and wreath-laying service was held at Saugatucket Park, followed by an Honor Guard Gun Salute and Taps.
10:30 a.m. — Scituate Post 19 hosted its Memorial Day parade at Institute Lane at Danielson Pike.
11 a.m. — Lincoln kicked off its Memorial Day festivities with a parade. It started at the corner of Higginson and Smithfield avenues and ended at Chase Farm Park with a live band and food truck.
11 a.m. — The West Greenwich annual Memorial Day parade was held along Route 102 from the WG-Coventry town line and ended with a ceremony in front of Town Hall.
11:30 a.m. — New Bedford’s parade formed at the intersection of Hathaway Boulevard and Parker Street and ended at Clasky Common Park. A service was held at the conclusion of the parade.
12 p.m. — In Fall River, a ceremony was held at Battleship Cove. There was a traditional military observance, honoring the fallen and Gold Star Families and a 21-gun salute.
1 p.m. — Sen. Jack Reed and the federal delegation joined local leaders and Gold Star family members at the State of Rhode Island’s 49th annual Memorial Day Commemoration. The ceremony was held in front of the Gold Star Family Memorial at the RI Veterans Cemetery in Exeter.
1 p.m. — North Providence held its annual Memorial Day Parade and Celebration, which kicked off at North Providence High School and concluded with a ceremony at Governor Notte Park’s Amphitheatre.
1 p.m. — Swansea’s parade kicked off from St. Francis of Assisi and continued to Swansea Town Beach.
Did we miss an event? Email us at ReportIt@wpri.com.
