Memorial Day Weekend Events Planned to Remember New Bedford Veterans

NEW BEDFORD – Several events are planned throughout the City this Memorial Day weekend to honor the courageous men and women who lost their lives serving the United States.

This weekend’s events include:

Saturday, May 25

9 a.m. at Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth St.

The Greater New Bedford Civil War Roundtable will conduct its annual Remembrance Service in the Civil War section of the cemetery. The service will include a wreath-laying, presentations of Logan’s Order and the Gettysburg Address, musical selections, and keynote remarks from Mayor Jon Mitchell.

Sunday, May 26

10 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery, 1100 Ashley Blvd.

New Bedford American Legion Post One will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at the Veterans’ plot.

12 p.m. at City Hall, 133 William St.

New Bedford American Legion Post One will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at the Vietnam Veterans’ Honor Roll on the William Street side of the building.

Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day)

8:15 a.m. at Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth St.

New Bedford American Legion Post One will conduct a Memorial Day exercise at the Veterans’ plot.

10 a.m. at Pier 3, 51 MacArthur Dr.

The New Bedford Port Society’s annual Fishermen’s Memorial Day Service will follow a procession from Seaman’s Bethel. In the event of rain, the event will be held inside Seaman’s Bethel.

11:30 a.m. New Bedford Memorial Day Parade

This year’s parade is presented by the City of New Bedford, the Veterans’ Services Department, the City Council, and the Veterans’ Advisory Board.

The parade will form at the intersection of Hathaway Boulevard and Parker Street beginning around 10:30 a.m. before stepping off at 11:30 a.m.

The parade will march east on Parker Street to County Street, where it will turn left and head north on County Street. The parade will then turn right to head east on Pope Street, where it will make its final turn into Clasky Common Park.

There will be a Memorial Day service at the reviewing stand at the conclusion of the parade. All participants are encouraged to stay and take part in the service, which includes the reading of the Gettysburg Address, Logan’s Orders, and roll call of New Bedford veterans who have passed away. Family and friends of veterans who have passed away are invited to bring a flower to the service and place it at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in remembrance.