WESTFIELD – Memorial Day is an important holiday across the country that honors the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for their nation and a number of local communities have events planned for this upcoming weekend.
Westfield Memorial Day parade on May 28, 2013. (WNG File Photo)
In Westfield, starting on Sunday May 28, there will be a Veteran’s Memorial Day Service at St. Joseph’s Church at 9 a.m. The service will be hosted by American Legion Post 124.
There will be another service the same day at 11 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church, hosted by American Legion Post 454.
On Monday, the annual Memorial Day parade in Westfield will begin at Mestek Inc. on North Elm Street, where people will line up at 9 a.m. with the parade stepping off at 10 a.m.
Cindy Lacoste, Commander of American Legion Post 124, will be the Master of Ceremony. All of the different legions and VFW’s in Westfield have helped organize the parade.
Cindy T. Lacoste, Commander of American Legion Post 124 (Photo by Don Wielgus)
“Westfield’s a very patriotic community,” said Bobby Callahan, the Director of Veteran’s Services for the City of Westfield. “It’s a lot of folks putting a lot of work into it.”
Just a few minutes down the road, Southwick will be having their Memorial Day parade on Monday at 10 a.m. along College Highway.
Rick Marcoullier, who is the newly-appointed commander of American Legion Post 338, has enjoyed taking the responsibility this year of helping organize the parade.
“It’s definitely a worthwhile cause,” said Marcoullier. “It’s a very important thing.”
After the parade has concluded, there will be a ceremony on the town green. Commanders of different legions and VFW’s will escort the gold star mothers as well as guest speaker Gene Theroux taking the podium.
Southwick’s Memorial services include wreaths being placed at the old cemetery, the Southwick Regional High School band playing songs, the Select Board will say a couple words, and to end the day there will be food and drinks at American Legion Post 338.
The Town of Granville is also participating in Memorial Day weekend events. At noon on Sunday, the Granville Federated Church will be having a Memorial Day service.
There will be a gun salute, followed by words from the Select Board and light refreshments after.
Matt Streeter, the Town Administrator, said they have the service every year and it is very important to the community.
“It’s an event to service those who paid the ultimate price and their sacrifice to the country,” said Streeter.
Thursday’s Westfield News detailed additional Memorial Day ceremonies across some of the other local hilltowns. In order to follow up with the events in communities this weekend, visit the town or city websites.
