Watertown’s Memorial Day Observances: the Parade and More!

Charlie Breitrose

Memorial Day ceremonies and the parade will be held in Watertown on Monday, May 25, but there are many events leading up to the Monday Holiday.

Watertown’s veterans groups will hold a variety of events to honor the town’s deceased servicemen and women with events around town this Memorial Day week.

Placing of Flags

Wedensday, May 20 at 5 p.m.: Meet at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery
(Rain Date Thursday, May 21)

Flags will be placed at veterans’ graves at all Watertown cemeteries by
Veteran organizations and Volunteers

Veterans School Visitation

Thursday, May 21:

• 9:30 a.m. – Cunniff School

Friday May 22:

• 9 a.m. – Watertown High School
• 9 a.m. – Lowell School
• 10 a.m. – Middle School
• 11 a.m. – Hosmer School

Morning Services and Dedications

Sunday, May 24

Veterans Organizations visit these locations and place wreaths, do a reading, play Taps, fire weapons:

• 8:30 a.m. – Coolidge Square POW/MIA Monument
• 8:45 a.m. – WWI Memorial Stone – (front of Shutt Detachment)
• 9:00 a.m. – Charles River Float
• 9:15 a.m. – World War II Memorial Stone (front of Town Hall)
• 9:30 a.m. – Saltonstall Park
• 10:00a.m. – Memorial Service at Saint Patrick’s Church

Memorial Day Week Activities

Monday, May 25

Morning Dedications and Parade:

• 8:30 a.m. – Cottage Street Cemetery
• 8:55 a.m. – Common Street Cemetery
• 9:10 a.m. – Ridgelawn Cemetery
• 9:30 a.m. – St. Patrick’s Cemetery
• 10:30a.m – 11:30a.m. – Parade Check-in at TUFTS Parking lot
• 12:00p.m. – Parade Begins (All Times Are Approximate)

All veteran organizations and parade participants should report to Mark Comeiro, Watertown Veterans Services Officer, between 10:30-11 a.m. at the Tufts Health Care parking lot on Arlington & Grove Streets to form for the parade.

The parade will start promptly at noon and proceed down Mt. Auburn Street to Main Street ending at Saltonstall Park with a brief service.