Town announces times for Memorial Day ceremonies

Date: 5/24/2011

May 25, 2011

By Debbie Gardner

Assistant Editor

AGAWAM — According to Agawam Veteran's Agent Richard Girard, the town will host several ceremonies to commemorate its war dead during the Memorial Day weekend.

On May 29, the Agawam Congregational Church, located at 745 Main St., will host a service that remembers those lost in the nation's wars beginning at 10 a.m.

On May 30, Girard said the local Veteran's Council and American Legion Post will conduct a series of ceremonies at select sites throughout the town, culminating in the annual Memorial Day parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. from the Agawam Middle School.

"We do a small ceremony at a couple of places in town, we read a list of the casualties from the Revolutionary War and we have a wreath ceremonies at the bridges," Girard said.

The schedule for the May 30 ceremonies is as follows:

•7:30 a.m. South Westfield Cemetery, located across from Shoemaker lane.

•7:15 a.m. Granger School, reading of Revolutionary War dead.

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8 a.m. Springfield Street Cemetery, located across from Sacred Heart Church.

•8:20 a.m. World War II Memorial, located at the American Legion Post #185.

•8:40 a.m. Wreath ceremony at the Vietnam Bridge.

•9 a.m. Agawam Center Cemetery, located across from St. John's church.

•9:20 a.m. Wreath ceremony at the Agawam Bridge.

Girard said the annual parade, which is expected to include units from the local Police and Fire Departments, Boy and Girl Scout troops, Veterans Council, American Legion Post and local bands, should last "about an hour." The route stretches from the Middle School down Main Street to the Veteran's Green. A brief ceremony on the Green will conclude the day's events.

Debbie Gardner can be reached by e-mail at debbieg@thereminder.com