Around Town

Memorial Day Speaker Says it is Critical to Remember the Sacrifices of Veterans & for All Citizens to Participate in Decisions of War & Peace

By |

Watertown veterans presented the colors during the 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After a parade featuring youth sports teams, bands, the Watertown Police and Fire Department, and many more, a newish Watertown resident who devoted his career to military service and military intelligence spoke about the importance of Memorial Day and what all citizens can do to preserve the memories of those who died serving their country. This year, the keynote speaker at Watertown’s Memorial Day Ceremony, held Monday at Victory Field, was Ret. Col. J.D. Williams, who served in the Marine Corps from 1978-2004 as an intelligence officer.

Around Town

See Who Will Participate in the 2025 Memorial Day Parade

By |

The 2025 Watertown Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 26 beginning at noon. The route begins at City Hall and ends at Victory Field with a ceremony. See who will be marching in this year’s parade

The parades starts by heading west on Main Street, then turns right onto Waverley Avenue heading past Watertown Middle School. A viewing area will be put up near the school. The parade continues along Waverley and turns right on Orchard Street, and ends at Victory Field.

Around Town

Vietnam Veterans Raise POW/MIA Flag at Greek Church’s Memorial Day Celebration

By |

The following piece was provided by Peter Vergados:

Memorial Day Celebration, Sunday, May 18th, at the Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church, Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA included Raising of the POW/MIA Flag. Color Guard was the Civil Air Patrol Cadets from the MA Wing located at Hanscom AFB. Hoisting the flag was Charles Kalivas, an Army Veteran who served in Vietnam 1967-68. Assisting was Leader of the Veteran’s Ministry, Peter J. Vergados, who also served in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller (FAC). Charles Kalivas arrived in country at Cam Rahn Bay March, 1967.

Around Town

Historic Photo Presented to Watertown Veterans Group is a Reminder of a Tradition of Service

By |

George McMasters, Commandant of the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment holds the historic photo of the memorial outside the Post. He and Ed Aucoin, right, were presented the photo by Joyce Kelly of the Historical Society of Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Two of the leaders of Watertown’s veteran groups recently reflected on the sacrifices made by members of the military from town when they were presented a photo of the dedication of a memorial to Watertown servicemen who died in First World War. The memorial still sits outside the Marine Corps League Charles Shutt Detachment on Mt. Auburn Street.

Around Town

See Photos from the 2024 Watertown Memorial Day Parade

By |

Watertown veterans marched in the 2024 Memorial Day Parade. (Photo by Natalie Nigito Photography)

Watertown veterans were joined by youth sports teams, scouts, the Watertown Police officers and Firefighters, bands and more during the 2024 Memorial Day Parade. The event ended with a ceremony at Victory Field that included the unveiling of a new tribute to veterans. Following the parade, a ceremony was held at Victory Field which included the unveiling of a chair honoring prisoner of war and missing in action. The POW-MIA Chair of Honor represent those service members who are unable to fill them because of their sacrifices, as well as reminding people of the men and women who serve our country every day.

Around Town

Memorial Day Parade 2024: See Which Groups Will be Marching

By |

The Watertown Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 27 beginning at noon at City Hall and ending at Victory Field. Following the procession, a ceremony will be held, which will include the dedication of a POW-MIA Chair at the field. The parade route starts at City Hall, heads west on Main Street, turns onto Waverley Avenue, and then onto Orchard Street. Parade Divisions

First Division

Watertown Police Department

Watertown Savings Bank

Watertown City and Local Officials

Shutt Detachment/VFW Post 1105/AMVETS Post 41

Navy Sea Cadets

Waltham American Legion Band

Watertown Fire Department

Second Division

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard

Knights of Columbus

Watertown High School and Middle School Band

Ancient Order of the Hibernians

The National Lancers

Panto Classic Automobiles

Watertown Historical Commission

Fred Bolzan Photography

North End Marching Band

Third Division

Watertown Scouts, Packs, Troops

The Roma Band

Watertown/Belmont Youth Football and Cheerleading

Watertown Council on Aging (Friends of the COA)

Watertown Youth Soccer

The Tony Barrie Band

Watertown Sons of Italy

Wind Jammers

Perfection Towing

Nonantum Children’s Christmas

For groups participating, staging will take place behind the Watertown Library and City Hall. Staging may begin at 10:30 a.m. The only vehicles that should remain in the library lot after staging should be vehicles in the parade.

Government

Memorial Day Weekend Hours for the City of Watertown

By |

The City of Watertown announced the hours for the Memorial Day weekend. City Hall, the Parker Annex, Department of Public Works Offices and the Senior Center are closing at 2 PM on Friday, May 24, 2024, and Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Senior Center, Department of Public Works Offices, and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day. Please note that trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day. The pickup schedule next week is Tuesday, May 28 through Saturday, June 1, 2024. A holiday postpones Trash and Recycling collection by one day.

Around Town

MassDOT Expects Busy Memorial Day Weekend, Encourages Travelers to Plan Ahead

By |

The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging individuals who plan to travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend to plan, expect increased travel volumes, utilize MassDOT’s “real time” travel tools and resources, and take public transportation as much as possible to help get to planned destinations.   

“We are expecting a very busy travel weekend for this upcoming Memorial Day,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Traffic congestion is expected to grow on Thursday afternoon and will be much heavier than normal early Friday afternoon. Drivers should leave extra time when making travel plans, consult MassDOT resources, and always drive sober and undistracted. We at MassDOT wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.” 

Construction operations for the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project are not occurring this weekend. The tunnel will remain open for travel during the weekend of Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27.  

Using traffic data, MassDOT has created a traffic forecast for the holiday weekend.