By Beth David, Editor
Fairhaven held its annual Memorial Day activities, with a parade along Main Street, the raising of the big flag at Fairhaven High School, and services at Riverside Cemetery on Monday, 5/27/19, making it 151 years, since the very first “Decoration Day” on 5/30/1968, that the town has held a parade.
This year’s event featured remarks by Emcee George Brownell; opening and closing prayers by the Rev. Bette McClure, First Congregational Church; the reading of General Logan’s Orders, which created the day to honor military service members, by Selectboard Chairperson Charles K. Murphy, Sr.; Lincoln’s Gettysburg address by Fairhaven High School senior class president Noah Barton; remarks by Fairhaven Veterans Service Officer Bradford Fish; the reading of the honor rolls for the Town of Fairhaven, American Legion Post 166 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2892; musical selections by the First Congregational Community Chorus; the laying of the wreaths at the Civil War veterans monument; musket fire salute by the Fairhaven Village Militia; and the sounding of Taps by Aubrey Stalter of the FHS band.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day in World War II, when more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on the French coastline to gain a foot-hold in Continental Europe against Nazi Germany.
Photos by Glenn C. Silva. See more photos of this event at https://photos.app.goo.gl/qddrKfrJXvRRsxAN8
- The First Congregational Community Chorus performs at Riverside Cemetery after the parade as part of the Memorial Day activities in Fairhaven on 5/27/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
- The Fairhaven Public Schools string orchestra marches in the Memorial Day Parade in Fairhaven on Monday, 5/27/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
- Corporal Gus Cote rides in an open truck in the Memorial Day Parade in Fairhaven on Monday, 5/27/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
- Corporal Gus Cote rides in an open truck in the Memorial Day Parade in Fairhaven on Monday, 5/27/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
- Larry Jones, US Navy, Sr. Chief, salutes after placing the wreath in front of the Civil War veterans monument at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven as part of the Memorial Day ceremony oono 5/27/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
- The sparks fly from Wayne Oliviera’s musket during the ceremony at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhavn after the parade as part of the Memorial Day activities in Fairhaven on 5/27/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
- L-R Beth Jabotte, Layla Bettencourt, Isabella Bettencourt, Lilian Jabotte, Leo Jabotte, and Lauren Bettencourt enjoy the parade along Main Street in Fairhaven on Memorial Day, 5/27/19. Photo by Glenn C. Silva.
•••
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal.
Click here to download the entire 5/30/19 issue: 05-30-19 MemDayParade