March 28, 2024

Seekonk Memorial Day Parade

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Ending May With A Roar

May 28th, 2016 opened with blue skies and a gentle breeze, perfect for the 2016 Seekonk Memorial Day Parade. A proud yearly tradition, this year’s Parade featured many of the previous crowd favorites from previous years, and many local teams and organizations; such as little league baseball, Boy Scouts, and the revolutionary war era reenactor band. The Parade kicked off at ten o’clock in the morning, just as the sun starting heating things up, opened by an impeccable line of officers holding flags and standing shoulder to shoulder, marching in step. Music filled the air from the Seekonk High School Warrior Marching Band and Canton Mass’ Edward J Beaty American Legion Band, and a veritable legion of military vehicles and antique fire trucks followed the same path from Seekonk High School to Dr. Kevin M. Hurley Middle School, stretching the length of the central and northern parts of town. The parade passed by a huge crowd awaiting them at the Seekonk Public Library, which is now home and adjacent to the Veteran's Memorial, which had its inauguration ceremony following the parade at noon. Despite sweltering heat reaching well up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, all kinds of people, young and old showed up to show their national pride and to celebrate the lives of those we have lost.

 

 A Memorial In Stone

Occupying the space directly next to the Seekonk Public Library, which previously held nothing but the air and an empty field, the newly finished Veteran’s Memorial is officially open to the public. At noon sharp, the Veterans’ Memorial began its opening ceremony. With the Seekonk High School Warrior Marching Band available to perform The Star Spangled Banner, the venue was packed to the brim, there was simply not enough room under the tent for the prodigious turn out. With an opening speech by Seekonk Board of Selectmen member David Viera, the memorial was opened to the sight of the American flag being raised and white doves being set free, and to the sounds of God Bless America and a medley of Marches of The Armed Forces. Despite the fact that two speakers were unfortunately unable to make it due to the weather and unforeseen complications, the event was a resounding success, and many thanks were given by the memorial committee to those who volunteered their time in making the memorial the best possible tribute it could be. The stated goal of the project was stated as thus: “This is more than just a memorial of stone, this is here to preserve the stories of those who have passed, and to keep their stories alive in the times to come”. 

 

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