Sudbury’s 2017 Memorial Day Parade Ceremonies and Program

This Post has been archived and its content might be outdated. If you are looking for recent content, please check this Committee's Homepage.

An American Hometown Tradition: Memorial Day Parade – May 29, 2017

Parade Marshall – Victor Beck

Sudbury’s Memorial Day Parade, Grinnell Park Ceremonies, and Hosmer House Program will take place on Monday, May 29, 2017. View the parade or march along as we visit all the War Memorials in Sudbury. Hear the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute, Company F, 12th Georgia Infantry, and the American Legion fire musket and rifle salutes.

The Parade and ceremonies honor veterans of all wars starting with King Philip’s War of 1676 through today’s conflicts. We especially remember men and women who lost their lives in service of their country during these Memorial Day events.

Accompanied by his family, a distinguished Navy veteran and Sudbury resident will serve as 2017 Parade Marshall. Rear Admiral (Retired) Victor “Vic” Beck’s Navy career began with shipboard duties on the USS Enterprise as a surface warfare officer and on the USS Richard E Byrd as navigator. After attending the Department of Defense Information School, he served with the Navy Office of Information New England prior to running the international news and public affairs operations during surges in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Kabul, he was the director of Public Affairs for headquarters NATO, International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. In Baghdad, he was the chief of Media Operations at headquarters Multi-National Force Iraq. At retirement in 2013, he was the U.S. Navy’s Vice Chief of Information, responsible for leading the Navy Reserve Public Affairs program worldwide.

In addition to Rear Admiral Beck’s remarks at Grinnell Park, the Memorial Day observance will feature musical contributions from the Sudbury Girls Scouts and from the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companies and the opportunity to see a prized relic of the Great War.

April 6 of this year marked the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I. For this reason, it is especially meaningful that Ambulance 255, a meticulously restored 1916 Model T Ford American Field Service ambulance, will participate in the parade. It serves as a tangible reminder of the 2500 American volunteers who drove these vehicles before the United States entered the Great War. George King of North Franklin, CT and Jeff Klinger of Sudbury will be on-hand to answer questions and provide additional commentary. George and Jeff have taken the antique ambulance around the Eastern US and to Europe, participating in President Obama’s inaugural parade, and ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. Weather permitting (no significant rain) Ambulance 255 will drive in the parade and be on display afterwards at Grinnell Park. Whether you are an interested citizen, a history sleuth, an old car buff, or simply curious, don’t miss this opportunity to see a piece of “living history”.

The main part of the Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Rugged Bear Plaza, 410 Boston Post Road, where the Parade Marshall, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and a delegation from the Native American Cultural Center will join members of the Sudbury Military Family Network and veteran’s organizations, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute, the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companies, and Company F, 12th Georgia Regiment. Musket and rifle salutes will be fired at each stop by the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute, Company F, 12th Georgia Infantry, and the American Legion.

The Parade marches east along Route 20 then north on Concord Road, with stops at the Civil War Monument at Goodnow Library, the Wadsworth Monument (King Philip’s War) and the World War II, Korean and Vietnam Memorials at Wadsworth Cemetery.

Cub Scouts, Brownies and WWI Ambulance 255 join the parade at Our Lady of Fatima Church as it continues north on Concord Road. At about11:00 am the parade reaches Grinnell Park in the town center for concluding remarks and final tributes at the World War I Monument. The names of Sudbury veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day are read aloud The Girl Scouts and the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companies will perform musical selections, followed by recognition of the Parade Marshall, Rear Admiral (retired) Beck, and Gold Star Family members. There will also be bugle calls by Robert Coe and Jeff Fuhrer. The United Native American Council will carry out a ritual for remembering their warriors. The Council has performed this ceremony for over 30 years during the Sudbury Memorial Day observance.

All veterans are invited to join in the line of march at Rugged Bear Plaza. Uniforms are not required. Civilian clothes which respect the dignity of the occasion (dark slacks, white dress shirt, and hat that identifies your branch of service or veterans’ organization are appropriate). Transportation will be provided for those who wish to participate but feel they are not capable of marching along.

Hosmer House, Sudbury Center, Old Sudbury Rd., will be open May 29th from 10 am to 2 pm. The ballroom will have a display prepared by the family of Lt. Scott Milley to honor the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes organization. The parlor will have a display recognizing town and school employees and those who worked on various town committees who passed away in 2016. The Hosmer House store will offer for sale cup plates, dolls, ornaments, books, and the popular Sudbury throws that feature Sudbury‘s historical buildings. Refreshments will be served and entrance is free of charge. The Sudbury Historical Commission welcomes all to visit the Hosmer House.
 7:30 a.m. Revolutionary War Memorial Tribute, Mount Pleasant Cemetery OIF/OEF Memorial Tributes at 9/11 Memorial, Heritage Park Commemorative ceremonies at Old North Cemetery and New North Cemetery

Event Details

• Email this Post
• Print this Post
• Content Shortlink
• Back to Memorial Day Committee