Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2023 will occur on Monday, May 29. 

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.

UPTON

MEMORIAL DAY
TOWN OF UPTON
Monday, May 29, 2023
 
VETERANS' COUNCIL
Steve Walsh      David Kennedy
ave Carlson    Richard Kennedy

Russell Wood   Steve Wickstrom  

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS  
   
8:00 AM LAKEVIEW CEMETERY
Assemble - Lakeview Cemetery Gate on North Main St. at Veterans' Memorial
Prayer - Steven Wickstrom
Firing Squad:  Officer of the Day  

Taps

8:30 AM MAPLEWOOD CEMETERY 
Rev. George S. Ball - Gravesite
Prayer - Russell W. Wood
VFW and AL Firing Squad
 
George L. Wood - Gravesite
Prayer - Shawn Craig

VFW and AL Firing Squad

8:45 AM FIRST BURIAL GROUNDS - Grove Street
Reader; Joan Burrell, Upton Historical Commission
 
9:45 AM PARADE ASSEMBLY AT MEMORIAL SCHOOL
Grand Marshall:  Steven Wickstrom

Parade Marshall:  Stephen Saucier, Commander VFW Post #5594

10:15 AM PARADE TO UPTON CENTER - COMMON
Miscoe Hill Middle School & Town Organizations
 
10:30 AM MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE
Officer of the Ceremony - Russell Wood, Post #173 AL  
INVOCATION:  Fr. Larry Brault, St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish  
GREETINGS OF THE TOWN: Upton Board of Selectmen  
MUSICAL SELECTION:  Miscoe Hill Middle School Band   
REMEMBER NOT TO FORGET:  Whitney Loeper  
"IN FLANDERS FIELDS":  Girl Scouts - Caylee Smith
CEREMONY AT WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL:  American Legion & VFW Firing Squad  
ROLL CALL OF UPTON WAR DEAD:  Steven Wickstrom  
MUSICAL SELECTION:  Joseph McMahon  
ROLL CALL OF RECENTLY DECEASED VETERANS:  Shawn Craig  
FIRING SQUAD:  World War II, Korea, Vietnam Monuments  
BENEDICTION:  United Parish - Pastor Lourey Savick  
NATIONAL ANTHEM:  Miscoe Hill Middle School Band

MILFORD

John A. Pilla, Director of Veterans Services for the town of Milford has announced that the annual Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Assembly of divisions will take place at 9:30 in the parking lot adjacent to I Hop Restaurant on Rt. 109 (Medway Road).  Step-off will be at 10:00 a.m.=

This year’s Grand Marshal is former police sergeant Michael F. Jones.  Jones joined the Army after high school and spent 22 years serving numerous military operations throughout the world.

Upon completion of his military career, he became a police officer and served for 27 years before his retirement. Sgt. Jones has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mass.

Jones is married to Carla (Bresciani) Jones and the father of three daughters.

Also participating in this year’s parade will be members of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Italian American War Veterans and the American Legion.

Master of Ceremonies will be Gail (Arcudi) Reichert, a Navy Veteran.

If the parade is cancelled due to inclement weather, there will be a speaking ceremony held at the Italian American Veterans Post 40 on Hayward Field at 10 AM

The Milford Historical Museum, 30 School Street, will be opened to visitors on Memorial Day, May 29, from 11:30  am – 1:30 pm.  Please take this opportunity to learn about your town & the museum. Memorial Hall was built by the Town in 1884. Civil War artifacts, military uniforms, early tools of trade as well as town pictures are on display.  The Museum, Research Room, and Map Room offer a great deal of Town history. All Milford High and some St. Mary’s Yearbooks are available. Members of the Historical Commission will be welcoming visitors.

FRANKLIN