The streets of Watertown were lined with people waving flags, Monday, to pay tribute America’s fallen service men and women, and watch the 2019 Memorial Day Parade.
The annual parade featured local veterans groups, scouts, Watertown Police and Firefighters, bands, military vehicles and much more. Close to 30 groups took part in the parade, with participants coming forward as late as Friday. Participants said the 2019 edition of the parade drew one of the largest crowds in years.
Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George organized his first Memorial Day Parade, having just arrived two months ago, and said he quickly learned what a big deal it was for the town.
“People asked if I had the flags and wreaths ready for the parade before they asked my name,” George said.
The day provides a time to salute veterans, particularly those who have been lost serving their country.
“It is an honor for me to be here today to pay tribute to the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to be here today,” George said.
George was pleased with the turnout for the parade and the ceremony.
“I would like to thank everyone who is here so veterans of past wars are not forgotten, and the people here to day who will be our future veterans,” George said.
The ceremony that followed the parade included the National Anthem and patriotic songs played by the Watertown High School, and numbers by the Hibernian Pipe and Drum Band, including Taps.
Monday’s parade and ceremony concluded a week full of observances and activities.
George and some members of local veterans groups places wreaths at 55 memorial squares and monuments. Volunteers places around 2,000 flags at the grave sites of veterans in Watertown.
Many of Watertown’s memorial squares are located on the street where the person lived. In one case, the family of the serviceman who died serving his country still lived in the house, and came out to greet George and the others putting up the wreath.
“It is important to make sure they are not forgotten,” Georges said.
See more photos from the 2019 Watertown Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in the photo gallery below:
Watertown Cub Scout Pack 30 salutes fallen veterans during the Memorial Day Parade 
A young girl waves her flag during the 2019 Memorial Day Parade 
The Watertown Fire Department greeted parade goers during Monday’s parade. 
Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George thanked those who attended the Memorial Day ceremony. 
The Watertown Police Department march in the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. 
Members of the Watertown Sons of Italy group joined Monday’s Memorial Day Parade 
The Waltham American Legion Band was one of about 30 groups marching in the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. 
The Hibernian Pipe and Drum Band performs during the 2019 Memorial Day Ceremony 
Two Watertown Scouts bearing flags lead their group in the parade. 
Some of Watertown’s elected officials wave to the crowd during the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. 
The Watertown High School band performs during the 2019 Memorial Day Ceremony in Saltonstall Park. 
A member of Boston Rhythmic Watertown does a flip during Monday’s parade. 
A Watertown motorcycle officer high fives a child during Monday’s Memorial Day Parade. 
The Watertown Daisies were represented in the Watertown Memorial Day Parade. 
The Naval Reserve marched in time during the Memorial Day Parade. 
Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians carry a large Irish flag during the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. 
Watertown Girl Scouts sang and waved to the crowd as they walked in the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. 
A teen pageant winner sits on the Launch Watertown float with the Launch mascot. 
An armored transport was one of several military vehicle to take part in the Watertown Memorial Day Parade.