Memorial Day is Monday, May 27. Here's how Gardner area communities are celebrating

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is the federal holiday for mourning U. S. military personnel who lost their lives while serving in the armed forces.

Decoration Day began on May 30, 1868, and was designated as the day to honor Union soldiers who had died in battle. After World War I and II, the holiday turned into a remembrance for all soldiers who fought and died in the service.

The holiday was known as Decoration Day until 1971, when Congress renamed it "Memorial Day" and designated its commemoration to occur on the last Monday in May.

Many local communities continue the tradition of placing flags on veterans' graves and holding ceremonies and parades in honor of those who paid the ultimate price.

Here is what is happening in the Gardner area.

Gardner

Memorial Day parade and ceremony on Monday, May 27 with assembly at the American Legion at 9:15 a.m. (parade will leave around 9:40 a.m.). From there they will march to Monument Park for the Memorial Day program.

Ashburnham

The Veterans would like to extend a town-wide invitation to the ceremonies starting at 9:00 a.m. at Meeting House Hill cemetery and parade style from there to the new cemetery and then on to the town hall for a 10 a.m. start.

After the ceremonies from 1-3 p.m. the American Legion Thomas.P.Sweeny Post 142 located at 132 Williams Rd in Ashburnham will hold a Chicken BBQ . Please call 978 827 9966 to reserve meals at $15.00 each. More information in the link below: https://facebook.com/events/s/memorial-day-chicken-bbq/1845684032522815/

Hubbardston

The Hubbardston Memorial Day Committee invites all area veterans to participate in the town's Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024. This annual event honors the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. at Curtis Recreation Field.

Following the parade, all veterans and community members are invited to attend a complimentary Ice Cream Social hosted by the Golden Age Club at the Senior Center.

Public parking is available at Go Green Pallet Company.

Phillipston

The town of Phillipston will celebrate Memorial Day with a parade on Sunday, May 26, at 9 a.m. on the Common, featuring the Gardner Minutemen Pathfinder Drum Corps, Girl Scout Troop 30908, Boy Scout Troop 39, and Cub Scout Pack 39. In addition, there will be a reading of Veterans’ names from the Revolutionary War. Light refreshments to be served at the conclusion of the program.

Templeton

The Baldwinville American Legion Post sponsored by the Town of Templeton's Community Service Department is holding a Memorial Day Program to include Honor Guard for military honors at area cemeteries and monuments, flag placement, and a parade.

7:00 - Veterans meet at American Legion Post 7:30 - Honor guard and chaplain proceed to Green-lawn cemetery, Baldwinville, for military honors 7:50 - Honor guard and chaplain arrive at Otter River WWII monument, for military honors 8:10 - Honor guard and chaplain arrive at East Templeton WWII monument8:30 - Honor guard and chaplain arrive in Templeton Center for military honors near historical building 8:50 - Honor guard and chaplain arrive at Pine Grove in Templeton for military honors 9:00 – Parade participants begin to gather at Narragansett front parking lot 10:00 – Parade steps off.

The parade marches to the base of the common. At approximately 10:25, the Memorial Day program will begin.

Westminster

Start your day with breakfast (free to all Veterans) at the VFW Post 7389 on Eaton Street from 6:30-8:00am then join us as we recognize Veteran Monuments in town. We will depart the VFW about 8:30 then make the following stops:

8:45 - Whitmanville Cemetery 9:00 – Woodside Cemetery 9:20 – Mount Pleasant Cemetery 9:30 – WWI Monument (Leominster St and Academy Hill Rd) 9:40 – Civil War Monument (First Congregational Church) 9:45 – Spanish War Monument (Bacon St near old Town Hall) 9:50 – VFW Veterans Monument

A multitude of civic organizations will join in our Memorial Day Parade which begins at Lovell St around 11:15-11:30 (when Oakmont Band arrives) and travels Main St to the Gazebo atop Academy Hill. There we will have recitals of the Gettysburg Address and Flanders Field, a guest speaker and musical performances. Festivities conclude with a chicken BBQ open to the public at the VFW – best to get tickets in advance as they often sell out!

Veterans are welcome to either walk or ride in the Memorial Day parade. Complimentary veterans t-shirts will be available for pick-up at the Senior Center prior to the event.

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This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Memorial Day celebrations in Gardner, Ashburnham, Westminster and more