North Adams Veterans Parade Slated for FridayCity of North Adams, 04:09PM / Tuesday, November 08, 2011 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Please join us in honoring those who have served our country as the city of North Adams observes Veterans Day with a parade and ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11.
The parade will form and start from the American Legion at 91 American Legion Drive. The parade will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. and move north on American Legion Drive, east on Main Street, north on Eagle Street and continue on to the Veterans Memorial where the ceremony will take place.
All veterans are invited to participate in the parade, even if they are not affiliated with any formal veterans associations. Coffee and doughnuts will be available to participants starting at 9:30 a.m. and all who wish to march are requested to be in the American Legion parking no later than 10 a.m.
Memorial Day Committee Chairman Mark Sprague will act as master of ceremonies and Army Col. Michael Hynes will give the keynote address.
The ceremony will also mark the dedication of six new flags flying over Veterans Memorial Park. The flags represent the five branches of the armed forces and POW-MIA. This project was proposed and coordinated by retired Command Sgt. Maj. Enrico Gaspardi.
"A year ago, Mr. Gaspardi came to my office with an idea for a project and he took the lead and made it happen," said Mayor Richard Alcombright. "The flags show support for all of our veterans by honoring the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and POW-MIA."
The Veterans Day Parade lineup and program are as follows:
1. Police Cruiser
2. Color Guards:
a. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 996
b. American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 100
c. American Legion Post 125
d. Sons of the American Legion Squadron 125
3. Commanders of Veterans Organizations; Alan Domenichini, VFW; Thomas Lussier, American Legion; Michael Chalifoux, VVA; James Lambert, AMVETS
4. Col. Michael Hynes, Mayor Richard Alcombright, and Joseph Cariddi
5. Any and all veterans who wish to participate
6. Auxiliaries:
a. Pat Folino, VFW
b. Gail Nelson, American Legion
c. Diane Floriani, AMVETS
7. Drury High School Band, Chris Caproni, Director
8. Trolley transporting veterans
9. North Adams Ambulance
10. North Adams Fire Department Ladder 2
Program
Master of Ceremonies, Memorial Day Committee Chairman Mark Sprague
Pledge of Allegiance
Drury Band, "Star-Spangled Banner"
Opening prayer, American Legion Chaplain Louis Floriani
New flags dedication by Mayor Richard Alcombright
Placing of the wreath by Al Domenichini & Mike Chalifoux
Mayor Richard Alcombright
Introduction of active duty military personnel and commanders/presidents
Drury Band: "Armed Forces Medley"
Keynote Speaker: Col. Michael Hynes, Army
Closing prayer, Floriani
Taps: Max Quinn and James Montgomery
Program Closing: Drury Band, "Let There Be Peace on Earth"
Thank you to David Tarsa and the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 125 for the flags to be given out at Friday's ceremony.
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