By William Tauro
The City of Somerville and the Department of Veterans’ Services hosted Somerville’s Memorial Day Parade this past Sunday.
This year’s event was the first time Somerville has hosted a parade on Memorial Day weekend since 2016. The City’s annual remembrance ceremony immediately followed at our Veterans Cemetery and honored those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our country.
The parade steped off at noon from Davis Square, then proceeded west on Holland Street through Teele Square and onto Broadway, ending at the Veterans Cemetery between Alewife Brook Parkway and North Street.
The ceremony featured a wreath laying and remarks by Mayor Ballantyne, City Council President Ben Ewen-Campen, Director of Veterans’ Services Ted Louis-Jacques, and several members of the local Veterans community.
The ceremony also included a presentation of award and special recognition of this year’s Grand Marshall Thomas White.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES
Katiana Ballantyne Ted D. Louis -Jacques
Mayor Director
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
PROGRAM
PROCESSION to Veterans Cemetery
National Anthem – Pheadra Butler
Pledge of Allegiance – Xavier Rodgers
Invocation – Pastor Guy Thomas, Missionary Church of the Haitian Community
1. Greetings from the City – MayoBallantyne
2. Keynote Speaker – U.S. Army FC Sherrin Lee
3. Presentation of Awards – Special Recognition of
Grand Marshall Thomas White
4. Benediction – Pastor Guy Thoma
Best regards,
Ted D. Louis-Jacgues
Director of Veterans’ Services
This Memorial Day, we remember those who sacrificed so we could live in freedom. As you were, you will always be treasured forever in our memory. Thank you for your shared sacrifice. We are thinking of you. We are truly the land of the free because of the brave.
