Talk of the Towns

MIDDLEBORO

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War

MIDDLEBORO — With 2016 being declared as the 50 th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War, the Middleborough Veteran Council has chosen that anniversary as its theme for this Memorial Day.

The Grand Marshalls for the Middleborough Memorial Day events have been selected: The Memorial Day parade and ceremony committee wanted to have a Vietnam War Veteran from each of the branches of the Armed Services to be the grand Marshals for this Memorial Day. After looking within the community of veterans the following Middleborough veterans were selected: Army, Wayne Packard; Marines, Ron Matthews; Navy, Walt Campbell; Air Force, Bruce Wright; and Coast Guard, Al Edwards.

Here’s the schedule of Memorial Day events...

VFW poppy drive: The VFW poppy drive will run from Thursday, May 26 May until after the parade on Monday, May 30, which is Memorial Day.

Memorial Day Church service: All veterans are invited to the Memorial Day church service that will take place at the Advent Lutheran Church at 10:00am on Sunday 29 May. The church is located on East Grove St. across from the Middleborough YMCA and right next store to the Boston Tavern.

Memorial Day parade: The parade will form at the town hall parking lot starting at 9:30am on Memorial Day. It will step off at 10:00am sharp. There will be enough vehicles to carry all of the veterans that need a ride. All veterans can take part in the parade. Also, local organizations such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are invited to take part in the parade.

Memorial Day ceremony: The Memorial Day ceremony will take place upon the conclusion of the parade in the Middleborough Veterans’ Memorial Park. As with the theme of this Memorial Day, the ceremony will center around the 50 th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War. All Vietnam War Veterans in attendance at the ceremony will be given a brass commemorative lapel pin as part of the ceremony.

LAKEVILLE

Memorial Day Observance begins at 10 am

On Monday, May 30, the Lakeville Historical Commission will hold its annual Memorial Day Observance. People will begin gathering at 10 a.m. at the Fire Station and Town Office Building.

The program will begin at 10:30 a.m. with remarks in front of the Veterans’ Memorial Stone and a wreath will be placed there. The group will then walk up the sidewalk to World War I Memorial Dickran Diran Square where remarks, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a second wreath laying will take place. The final three wreathes will be placed across the street at the Honor Roll and World War II Staple Shore Flag Pole.

The 1856 Town House and Town Hall will be open for a Veterans’ display and refreshments. Veterans, Service Men and Women, Boy and Girl Scouts, and the general public are invited to attend. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Historic Town House.