Around Town

Watertown Veterans Gather In-Person to Commemorate Memorial Day

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown veterans salute the Flag during the playing of the National Anthem at the Memorial Day Observance. Memorial Day 2021 in Watertown had more of a normal feeling than last year, with veterans able to gather in person and pay tribute to those who gave their lives serving their country. While the parade was cancelled for the second straight year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Town’s Memorial Day Observance took place under a tent next to the Commander’s Mansion. “I think the community and everyone else has learned a crash course in what veterans call improvise, adapt and overcome,” said Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. Last year, members of the Shutt Detachment of the Marine Corps League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and AmVets organized the place flags on graves of veterans and place wreaths at memorials around Watertown despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

Around Town

Watertown Marine Whose Name is on a Westside Park Died in Vietnam 53 Years Ago

By |

PFC Richard Moxley, of Watertown, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968. The field next to Watertown Middle School was dedicated to him. Richard Moxley, for whom the field and park next to Watertown Middle School is named, was a quick-witted young man who enjoyed interacting with interesting characters, and decided to forego college to serve his country in the Marines in 1967. He died in Vietnam nearly 53 years ago. Moxley was born on Sept.

Around Town

Watertown Memorial Day Ceremony Moving to Commander’s Mansion

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Police and Fire honor guards stand at attention during the Memorial Day Ceremony. For 2021, Watertown will commemorate Memorial Day at the Commander’s Mansion, starting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 31. The annual parade was cancelled due to concerns with COVID-19, but the ceremony held afterward will take place, said Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. The weather prompted a change of venues for the ceremony. “It was going to be at Victory Field, because the bleachers would allow people to space out,” George said.

Around Town

Rolling Memorial Day Celebration Coming Through Watertown on May 31

By |

The following information was provided by Nonantum Children’s Christmas Party Association:

After our successful Rolling Memorial in 2020, the Nonantum Children’s Christmas PartyAssociation, Inc. plans to hold the same event this Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st, beginningat 1 p.m.

The Rolling Memorial is the safest alternative to a traditional parade that still allows the community to honor and remember the sacrifices made by so many who served our country. Join us along the route and watch approximately twenty patriotic floats roll by! The Memorial will travel through parts of Newton, Waltham and Watertown. Visit our website nonantumccpa.org for additional information including the entire route with approximate times. If you have any questions, please email us at info@nonantumccpa.org.

Around Town

Volunteers Wanted to Place Flags on Veterans’ Graves for Memorial Day

By |

In honor of Memorial Day, flags will be placed on the graves of Watertown veterans. The Watertown Veterans Services Office seeks volunteers to help place the flags. Watertown will hold its annual Flag Marker disbursement at Veterans Gravesites on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 beginning at 5 p.m., said Watertown Veterans Agent Patrick George. “Volunteers are encouraged to participate in this honorable event and may join us at Ridgelawn Cemetery or Saint Patrick’s Cemetery,” George said. Due to the current COVID restrictions, participants will be required to wear masks and maintain social distance.

Around Town

Watertown Hosting Poppy Picnic Memorial Day Weekend with Food, Crafts & Military Vehicles

By |

The following information was provided by the Town of Watertown:

This year the Watertown Veteran’s Office and the Commander’s Mansion are teaming up to host the first annual Poppy Picnic on Friday, May 28th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. We encourage guests to picnic on the grounds – Donohue’s Bar & Grill and Branch Line are offering special deals and to-go menu items. Chill Wagon will be onsite selling ice cream treats too! 

Green Urb Gardens will be unveiling the design for our future veteran’s memorial garden where you will have the opportunity to vote on its name and purchase a memory brick for a loved one that served in the military. The festivities also include music, a kid’s Poppy craft station and you’ll have the chance to check out a few military vehicles on display! This is a free Watertown community event; reservations are required as space is limited due to Covid restrictions. Here is the online link to the event – Poppy Picnic

Around Town

2021 Memorial Day Parade Cancelled, Several In-Person Events Planned

By |

The Watertown Provincial Guard re-enactors joined the 2019 Memorial Day Parade. For the second year in a row, Watertown’s Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the cancellation in his weekly Coronavirus update. Veterans Services Officer Patrick George said the move was made based on the State’s COVID-19 restrictions on the size of gatherings. “It wasn’t an easy decision — frankly, when this all started, I thought we’d be back open by LAST Memorial Day — but it’s the safest decision we could make with the current public health data available,” George said.

Around Town

Watertown’s Roll of Honor: The Town’s Long History of Sacrifice for Country

By |

Memorial Day ceremonies and the parade will be held in Watertown on Monday, May 26. Watertown’s long military tradition dates well before the founding of the United States. The battles where Town’s the sons (and in one case daughter) served and gave their lives include some of the most hallowed in American history: Lexington, Bull Run, Pearl Harbor, Okinawa. The names can still be seen around town being memorialized in the names of street signs, parks and squares — Phillip Darch Road, O’Connell Park and Moxley Field are just some. Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.