Many ceremonies have been canceled or moved indoors due to rain forecasts as communities across the area prepare for Memorial Day observances.
Parades, ceremonies, flag displays, and community gatherings are still planned in Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, and Swampscott.
Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who died while serving their country. Originally established as “Decoration Day” after the Civil War, the holiday has become a national day of remembrance for those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms Americans enjoy today.
Unlike Veterans Day, which recognizes all who have served, Memorial Day is dedicated specifically to honoring those who never returned home. Across the North Shore, communities will gather Monday for ceremonies, parades, and moments of reflection to remember the nation’s fallen heroes.
Lynn
City officials announced that due to an early rain forecast, Lynn’s Memorial Day ceremony has been moved indoors.
The ceremony will now take place at 2 p.m. Monday inside the foyer of Lynn City Hall.
Earlier plans called for a 1:30 p.m. procession from the Manning Field parking lot followed by the ceremony.
Lynnfield
Lynnfield officials have also adjusted Memorial Day plans because of the weather forecast.
The town announced that the 8 a.m. portion of its Memorial Day remembrance has been canceled.
Due to inclement weather, all Memorial Day activities on Monday will be moved inside the Lynnfield Middle School starting at 11 am.
Marblehead
Marblehead’s Memorial Day observances will begin early Monday morning with transportation provided by the Salem Trolley.
Beginning between 7 and 7:30 a.m., the Salem Trolley will be parked at the Marblehead VFW to transport passengers to Clark’s Landing for the morning ceremony before participating in the parade and later returning to the VFW.
A memorial service at Clark’s Landing is scheduled for 8 a.m., followed by a Memorial Day parade muster at the Old Town House at 8:30 a.m. Organizers say all are welcome to participate.
The main parade will officially begin at 9 a.m. and proceed along Pleasant Street to Memorial Park for the first ceremony of the morning. Following that ceremony, participants will reform and continue left onto Spring Street, then to Elm Street, before turning left at Creesy Street and merging onto Green Street. The parade route will continue onto Turner Road and conclude at Waterside Cemetery.
Officials noted there will be no formal marching on the return trip, though the trolley will be available for anyone needing transportation. Following the conclusion of events, there will be a return trip to the Old Town House for a flag-raising ceremony.
A community barbecue at the VFW Post 2005 at 321 W Shore Dr. will follow the parade.
Nahant
Veterans’ Service Officer Bob Fields announced Sunday evening that the town’s Memorial Day observances would move to an inclement weather plan because of the forecasted conditions.
The 11 a.m. Memorial Day ceremony will be held indoors at Nahant Town Hall.
He said the Memorial Day parade may still proceed with willing participants unless weather conditions become unsafe on Monday morning. Parade participants were asked to continue reporting to the Lowlands area as originally scheduled.
A limited marching contingent and the Sea Services Ceremony at Tudor Wharf may also proceed, depending on real-time weather conditions.
All other residents, guests, veterans, bands, and attendees were asked to report directly to Town Hall for the indoor ceremony.
The ceremony will include an invocation and benediction, recognition of veterans and honored guests, the governor’s Memorial Day proclamation, a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, the reading of the names of deceased veterans, a rifle salute, taps, the Navy Hymn, and the raising of the colors to full staff.
Following the ceremony, the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and the Town of Nahant will host a community collation at the Nahant Life Saving Station beginning at approximately 12:15 p.m.
Peabody
Peabody officials also altered Memorial Day plans because of the weather forecast.
Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. announced that the city and the Veterans Council canceled both the Memorial Day parade and the Cedar Grove Cemetery ceremony.
Instead, Peabody’s Memorial Day ceremony will be held indoors at 11 a.m. at City Hall in Wiggin Auditorium.
Residents are still encouraged to attend the ceremony honoring the nation’s fallen service members.
Swampscott
Swampscott’s Memorial Day observances began days before Monday’s ceremony.
American flags are lining Monument Avenue from May 22 through May 27 in tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s freedoms. Volunteers gathered Friday, May 22, at Swampscott Town Hall lawn to help set up the display.
On Memorial Day, Swampscott will hold a ceremony at 10 a.m. inside Andrews Chapel at Swampscott Cemetery to honor fallen service members.
