Franklin's Memorial Day Parade & Ceremonies - May 2025 (video)

The Franklin TV recording of the Memorial Day 2024 parade and ceremonies on the Town Common after the parade, is available for your viewing pleasure ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAWBlhHF9Nc

The Memorial Day 2024 Program (PDF) ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11SRqPd_2ANSeQqaOsW4FHra-1PIPLcDv/view?usp=drive_link 

The "honor roll" of those veterans who passed during the prior year

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11YJ47V0TmSbAvgdM_9zcP7sDlg6vQRWN/view?usp=drive_link 

Franklin Matters' photos (for both the parade & ceremony) are found in one album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/J2La1uNmGpJrZhLj7 

Town of Franklin (MA): Memorial Day Ceremony - May 27, 2024 (audio)

FM #1214 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1214 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the audio of the Town of Franklin Memorial Day ceremony held on the Town Common at the end of the parade on Monday, May 27, 2024. The day was overcast and threatening precipitation, with a gentle breeze. 

Veterans Service Officer Shannon Nisbett is the master of ceremonies and introduces each speaker, and walks us through the program. 

Welcome	Shannon Nisbett, Director of Veterans' Services
Raising of the Colors	Joe Collins, Marine Corps Veteran
Pledge of Allegiance	Pat Doyle, Marine Corps Veteran
National Anthem	Franklin High School Band
Invocation	The Rev Kathy McAdams, St. John's Episcopal Church
Speaker	Jeffrey Roy, State Representative
Speaker	Rose Turco, Veterans' Advocate and Franklin Educator, 2024 Parade Marshal
Proclamation	John Milot, Commander, American Legion Post 75
Remarks	Shannon Nisbett, Director of Veterans' Services
Placing of Wreaths	Franklin Girl Scouts and VFW Post 3402
Reading the Honor Roll  Ringing of the Watch	John Milot, Commander, American Legion Post 75 Ernest Carruthers, Commander, VFW Post 3402 and Dawn Anderson, Marine Corps Veteran
Rifle Salute	American Legion Post 75 Rifle Squad
Taps	Daniel Campbell and Brady Devlin, Franklin High School
Benediction	The Rev Kathy McAdams, St. John's Episcopal Church

 

The ceremony runs about 47 minutes. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1214-town-of-franklin-memorial-day-ceremony-05-27-24

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The Memorial Day Program (PDF) ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11SRqPd_2ANSeQqaOsW4FHra-1PIPLcDv/view?usp=drive_link 

The "honor roll" of those veterans who passed during the prior year

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11YJ47V0TmSbAvgdM_9zcP7sDlg6vQRWN/view?usp=drive_link 

My photos (for both the parade & ceremony) are found in one album -> 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/J2La1uNmGpJrZhLj7 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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Town of Franklin (MA): Memorial Day Ceremony - May 27, 2024 (audio)

Reminder: Franklin's Memorial Day parade route and schedule information for May 27, 2024

Franklin's Memorial Day parade route remains the same. The parade will step off at 10:30 AM from Depot St, proceed up Main St. 

It stops briefly at Dean College for a wreath ceremony before continuing up Main St and turning on School St (at the Library). 

The parade turns again on Union St and stop for another wreath ceremony at the Union St cemetery. The parade resumes proceeding down RT 140 to Beaver St and turns toward the Town Common. 

It makes another stop at the St Mary's cemetery before completing the route at the Town Common. The final ceremony among the veterans memorials is scheduled for noon.

Memorial Day Parade schedule

Memorial Day Parade route

Memorial Day Parade scheduled for May 27, 2024 at 10:30 AM

Franklin's Memorial Day parade route remains the same. The parade will step off at 10:30 AM from Depot St, proceed up Main St. 

It stops briefly at Dean College for a wreath ceremony before continuing up Main St and turning on School St (at the Library). 

The parade turns again on Union St and stop for another wreath ceremony at the Union St cemetery. The parade resumes proceeding down RT 140 to Beaver St and turns toward the Town Common. 

It makes another stop at the St Mary's cemetery before completing the route at the Town Common. The final ceremony among the veterans memorials is scheduled for noon.

Memorial Day Parade schedule

Memorial Day Parade route

2 of Franklin's Fallen Heroes recognized today, March 10

There are two ceremonies today as 2 of Franklin's Fallen Heroes fell on the same date. This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history  may be available for that veteran.  This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

Fallen Hero: Private First Class Marshall E. Rollins, U.S. Marine Corps

Private First Class Marshall E. Rollins, the son of Carl and Bessie Rollins, was born on May 23, 1925. Marshall lived with his parents and sister at 51 Crescent Street. 

Marshall E. Rollins attended Franklin High School but left high school at the end of his junior year to join the Marine Corps. 

Private First Class Marshall Rollins served in the Fourth Marine Division for nearly three years, participating in the Battles of Roi, Namur, Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima. His division received a Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts in the Saipan battle. PFC Marshall Rollins sustained an injury in this battle but later returned to active duty on Iwo Jima. 

Private First Class Marshall E. Rollins was severely injured on March 10, 1945 in the fighting at Iwo Jima, was evacuated to the U.S. Hospital in the Mariannas and subsequently succumbed to his battle injuries in the Guam Hospital on April 2, 1945. 

Private First Class Marshall E. Rollins, U.S. Marine Corps, was 19 years old at the time of his death while serving in the service of his country in World War II.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-hero-private-first-class.html

Fallen Hero: Private First Class Rollins

Fallen Hero: Second Lieutenant John A. Schur, U.S. Army Air Corps

Second Lieutenant John A. Schur was born on July 26, 1922, the son of Mr. and Mrs. August Schur. John lived at 124 Beaver Street with his parents while attending the Franklin Public Schools. John graduated from Franklin High School in 1940 as Class Valedictorian. John was also very active in scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Following graduation from high school, John entered Northeastern University to study chemical engineering and was on the Dean’s List for his 3 years there. John left Northeastern to enlist in the U.S. Air Corps on October 17, 1942. 

In raids over Tokyo Second Lieutenant Schur was highly commended for his outstanding ability and courage when he left his post as navigator to repair and put back into operation radio and radar equipment which had become inoperable during the flight. In a later raid over Tokyo, 2nd LT John H. Schur was aboard a B-25 bomber loaded with bombs when the bomber sustained a direct hit and disappeared in a burst of an explosion over the heart of the city on March 10, 1945. 

Second Lieutenant John A. Schur, U.S. Army Air Corps, was 22 years old at the time of his death over Tokyo while serving his country during World War II.

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-hero-second-lieutenant-john.html 

Fallen Hero: Second Lt Schur

The Franklin Community is invited to the 9/11 ceremony at the Senior Center

"The Franklin Community is invited to attend our annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at 9 AM on September 11th, 2023 at the Franklin Senior Center. 

The program will run about 30 minutes, and retired New York City Police Sergeant Paul Faenza will serve as our keynote speaker."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw5HEkvrbAy/

The Franklin Community is invited to the 9/11 ceremony at the Senior Center

Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony, and Taps Across America - Information & Reminders - May 29, 2023

Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony 

1 - Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 29 - 10:30 AM 

Starts at Dean College, then proceeds to Union Street and St. Mary’s Cemeteries via School, West Central and Beaver Streets and concludes at the Town Common.

2 - Memorial Day Ceremony – Monday, May 29 - Noon 

Will be held on the Town Common by the War Memorial after the parade. Franklin Veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day as well as Franklin’s 45 fallen heroes who died in our nation’s combats will be recognized.

Please note: If it rains on May 29, please check the Veterans’ Services web page at: https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services for cancellation notice.

** Some Memorial Day reminders via John Hefele

"Hi Everyone, I wanted to let everyone know that the Memorial Day Parade route is the same as last year. See the photo below. 

As you can see, the parade does not go along Union St. 

Also, the town common side of Church Square is closed to spectators. This is to allow vehicles carrying veterans and the fire trucks access for drop off and fire truck parking. 

You can view the parade from the church side of Church Square. 

Areas are also roped off on the common and we ask spectators to honor these and not try to cross the ropes. 

Lastly, any chairs on the common are for parade participants and not spectators. 

Thank you.

John Hefele"

Shared from ->   https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/3448551742081494/?mibextid=Nif5oz

And from Franklin Police:

*** MEMORIAL DAY PARADE ROAD CLOSURES ***

This Monday around 10:30 am there will be several roads closed in the downtown area for the annual Memorial Day Parade. You can expect closures of Depot Street, Main Street, West Central Street, Union Street, Beaver Street, and Church Square. We’ll see you there!

Shared from Instagram ->  https://www.instagram.com/p/CswQNZuryIJ/

3 - Taps Across America - 3 PM

Franklin resident Tim O'Toole will be participating in the Taps Across America Memorial Day playing of taps. Taps will be played all across America at 3pm local time. 3pm is the National Moment of Remembrance in honor of those who died in military service to the United States.

Tim will be playing taps on the Franklin Town Common on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 at 3 PM.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE ROAD CLOSURES

Memorial Day Parade route

SAVE-THE-DATES for MEMORIAL DAY 2023

Memorial Day Breakfast – Friday, May 26 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Will be held at the Franklin Senior Center. Reservations are required. Sign up at the Senior Center reception desk or call Mary at: (508) 520 – 4945 by May 12.

Memorial Day Parade – Monday, May 29 - 10:30 AM 

Starts at Dean College, then proceeds to Union Street and St. Mary’s Cemeteries via School, West Central and Beaver Streets and concludes at the Town Common.

Memorial Day Ceremony – Monday, May 29 - Noon 

Will be held on the Town Common by the War Memorial after the parade. Franklin Veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day as well as Franklin’s 45 fallen heroes who died in our nation’s combats will be recognized.

Please note: If it rains on May 29, please check the Veterans’ Services web page at: https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services for cancellation notice.

Let us all remember…We are the land of the free because of the brave.

SAVE-THE-DATES for MEMORIAL DAY 2023

Memorial Day 2023 - Save-the-Dates

Memorial Day 2023 - Save-the-Dates

Memorial Day Breakfast, Parade and Ceremony

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday through an act of Congress in 1971, and its roots date back to the Civil War era.

Memorial Day honors members of the U.S. Military who sacrificed their lives while defending our nation.

Please join us for these upcoming Memorial Day events.

Read more -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/memorial-day-2023-save-dates

Memorial Day 2023 - Save-the-Dates

Memorial Day

Reminder that the parade starts at 10:30 and the ceremony is scheduled for Noon on the Town Common. The parade route can be found -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/05/reminder-memorial-day-parade-starts-at.html

Veterans Walkway on the Franklin Town Common

Reminder: Memorial Day - Parade starts at 10:30, ceremony at Town Common at noon

Join us for the annual Memorial Day Parade to honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice.

A ceremony will follow on the Town Common at Noon. All are welcome!

Parade route map:

Parade route map

 

Memorial Day - Parade starts at 10:30, ceremony at Town Common at noon

Shared from the Town of Franklin pages

https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/memorial-day-parade

https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/memorial-day-parade-route-0

Memorial Day 2022 - Weekend event schedule - Save-the-Dates

Memorial Day 2022 - Save-the-Dates

Join us as we honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country

Memorial Day 2022 - Weekend event schedule - Save-the-Dates

Shared from Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/memorial-day-2022-save-dates