Memorial Day Committee to host ceremonies on May 26

Date: 5/18/2009

Memorial Day Services will be observed in East Longmeadow on May 26. Weather permitting a short parade, placing of wreaths, raising a new flag and Military Honors will take place at the high school. If the weather is inclement, modified ceremonies will be conducted inside the high school auditorium.

Parade participants will assemble about 10:30 a.m. in the high school parking lot under the direction of Parade Marshal Joe Scanlon. Marchers will step off at 10:50 a.m. proceeding to the high school flagpole area where local and state dignitaries will place wreaths and Military Honors will be conducted.

Memorial Day Committee Chair Brian Tidlund, Commander of the Gunther-Rowley American Legion Post 293, will be Master of Ceremonies. Principal speaker will be Selectman James Driscoll. Other guest speakers and invited guests will be Selectman Jack Villamanio and Paul Federici, State Sen. Gale Candaras, State Reps. Angelo Puppolo and Brian Ashe, Pastor David Brown, Italian American Veterans Post 64 Commander Carmine DeFranco and Birchland Park Middle School students Matthew Plifka and Seth Olsen.

Other major participants will be represented by veterans of the Gunther-Rowley American Legion Post 293 and Sisto Lombardi Italian American Post 64, the East Longmeadow fire and police departments, the East Longmeadow High School Band and flower bearing children under the direction of Laura Rollins.

Working members of the Memorial Day Committee are co-chairs Tidlund and DeFranco as well as American Legion Post 293 members Cedric Hastings and Chris Mee, and ITAM members A. Ronald Davis, Peter Verteramo and also Laura Rollins.

All veterans graves will have new U.S. flags in place prior to Memorial Day under the direction of the Town Veterans Graves Officer Daniel Kneeland and local volunteers.