HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- As Memorial Day approaches, Team Hanscom personnel are invited to attend local events and ceremonies to honor and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our nation.
Initially known as Decoration Day, this day of remembrance was first established to honor the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. Over time, it evolved to commemorate American military personnel who have died in all wars, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today Memorial Day honors all the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Below are Memorial Day activities happening in the towns surrounding Hanscom AFB on Monday, May 27:
Bedford:
- 8:30 a.m.: The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars will host Memorial Day ceremonies starting at the American Legion Post, 357 Great Rd, Bedford, MA. American Legion and VFW Chaplain James Burton will offer a prayer, followed by a memorial wreath ceremony. Participants will then move to three local historical sites where each individual ceremony will conclude with volley fire and TAPS.
- 10:45 a.m.: A Fallen Veterans Memorial Tribute will be held at Bedford High School, followed by the town’s annual Memorial Day parade where Col. Taona Enriquez, installation commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Alan Weary, installation command chief, will take part in a WWI Memorial observance, and then the parade will then proceed to Veterans Memorial Park for the main ceremony at 11:15 a.m. Enriquez will offer keynote remarks alongside Massachusetts State Sen. Mike Barrett, Massachusetts State Rep. Ken Gordon, and Bedford Select Board Chair Shawn Hanegan.
Concord:
- 8:30 a.m.: The morning ceremony at Rideout Field includes a flag-raising at 9 a.m., followed by a brief observance. The parade assembles and steps off at 11 a.m. from Keyes Road and proceeds to Monument Square for the afternoon ceremonies, which include a Roll of Honor reading.
Lexington:
- 10 a.m.: A wreath-laying walk with the Lexington Minute Men, Lexington High School band, local Scouts, veterans, and honored guests, will stop at each war memorial in Lexington Center. Interested participants should meet in the Munroe Cemetery driveway at 9:30 a.m. The walk will be followed by a ceremony at Emery Park at 11 a.m.
Lincoln:
- 9:45 a.m.: There will be a veterans march from Weston Road to Pierce House. The town’s ceremony will include reflections on the sacrifices of fallen heroes – with remarks by Lt. Col. Gabriel Almodovar, materiel leader and chief of the Survivable Airborne Operations Center Integration Branch at Hanscom AFB. The event will conclude with a community cookout sponsored by Lincoln Public Safety.
Learn more about Memorial Day events happening in Concord, Lexington, or Lincoln by visiting the town's website.