Town Administrator Mel Kleckner and Brookline Veterans’ Services Director William T. McGroarty wish to invite community members to the Town of Brookline’s Memorial Day Program, which consists of four ceremonies.
Community members are invited to attend the Town of Brookline’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony, and join town officials, veterans, veterans groups, and the public in remembering those who died while serving in the United State Armed Forces.
Representatives from American Legion Post 11, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 864, Brookline Veterans’ Services, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Brookline Police and Fire Departments will be in attendance.
On Monday, May 30, 2022, beginning at 08:00 a.m., the public is welcome to meet for coffee at the Veterans Post on Washington Street, 386 Washington Street. A trolley will depart from the Veterans Post for the first ceremony at 08:30 a.m. and then continue on to the respective ceremonies. The trolley will return to the Veterans Post before the final ceremony so that attendees can process to the main ceremony at the World War Monument at Town Hall. Community members may use the trolley or their own transportation.
See below for the program itinerary:
Coffee at Veterans Post, 386 Washington Street (08:00 a.m.) Ceremony at Grand Army of the Republic Monument, 96 Grove Street (08:45 a.m.) Director McGroarty will deliver an invocation and tribute to the Grand Army of the Republic. This ceremony also will include a laying of the wreath.
Ceremony at Walnut Hills Cemetery Veterans’ Lot, 96 Grove Street (09:00 a.m.) The ceremony will be conducted by Director McGroarty. A Firing Squad/Honor Guard composed of Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars-Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, Brookline Police Department, and Brookline Fire Department will be present. Taps will be performed.
Ceremony at Brookline Revolutionary Cemetery, Walnut Street (09:30 a.m.) Daughters of the American Revolution Representative Dianne Laffee will deliver a welcome address and speech. Director McGroarty will deliver an invocation and benediction.
An honor guard composed of Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars-Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, Brookline Police Department, and Brookline Fire Department will be present. Taps will be performed.
Procession (10:45 a.m.) Ceremony at World War Monument, 333 Washington Street (11:00 a.m.) John Tynan, former U.S. Army Commander and Vietnam War Veteran, will offer a greeting to those in attendance. The Rev. Jonathan Gaspar of St. Mary’s Church will deliver an invocation.
Director McGroarty will preside over the ceremony. The event will feature a speech from Jerry Wolosenko, a U.S. Vietnam War Veteran, Bronze Star recipient and Ukrainian American.
Additionally, the ceremony will include a placing of a wreath of thanks and salute, a moment of silence, and a presentation of the Veterans Service Award.
Collation at Veterans Post, 386 Washington Street (12:00 p.m.) A collation, which includes a light lunch, will take place at the Veterans Post upon completion of the Ceremonies around noon.
To view the full Memorial Day Program, please visit here.