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May 12, 2008

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES, PARADE SET FOR SUNDAY, MAY 25th

Events Honor Somerville Veterans and Residents Currently Serving Overseas; Largest-Ever Parade Steps Off at 1pm

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that the 2008 Memorial Day Ceremonies, including the city’s popular parade, are scheduled for Sunday, May 25^th beginning at 8am.  Sponsored by the Somerville Veterans’ Services Department, the Somerville Allied Veterans’ Council, and Mayor Curtatone, the day’s ceremonies will include processions to veterans’ memorials along Highland Avenue, a parade, and afternoon ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Teele Square to honor Somerville’s armed services personnel, past and present. 

“Somerville’s Memorial Day parade has become one of the largest and most anticipated in the area, and this year will be no different,” Mayor Curtatone said.  “Once again, we’ve assembled the largest parade to date, and it will be a spectacular ceremony to honor our city’s – and our nation’s – servicemen and women.  This is a wonderful way for us to show our appreciation for what our men and women in uniform have done for us, and to commemorate the sacrifices made for and by the members of the Somerville community   I look forward to seeing everyone along the parade route on the 25^th.”

The procession along Highland Avenue to veterans’ memorials will begin at 8:00 a.m. at American Legion Post #19, 124 Highland Ave. The parade is set to begin from the Somerville High School concourse at 1:00 p.m., with afternoon ceremonies immediately following at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Broadway, at the end of the parade route.

The annual parade will feature more than 40 marching bands, community and school groups, and the specialty unit from the Aleppo Shriners, comprised of more than 200 members, performing throughout the 2.3 mile route.  Beginning at Somerville High School, the parade will continue along Highland Avenue, through Davis Square to Holland Street, and onto Broadway ending at the Cemetery in Teele Square.  Ceremonies will be held rain or shine.

“In the four years since Mayor Curtatone took office, the Memorial Day parade has increasingly become more memorable than previous years,” said Director of Veterans’ Services Frank Senesi.  “Once again, we’ve put together an incredible parade with more entertainment and participating companies than ever before.  I hope to see everyone next Sunday.”

The 2008 Parade will feature three distinguished Grand Marshals who were honored for their service by the Board of Aldermen at their May 8^th meeting.   Attorney James A. O'Donovan is a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a former City Solicitor; Joseph M. Steen is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who served during the Korean conflict; and Captain James J. Galvin (US Navy retired) was a SWIFT Boat commander during the Vietnam War who went on to a series of major commands that included the Navy's oceanographic and weather forecasting center in Spain.

Due to the parade’s route, several roads in the surrounding area, as well as bus routes to and from Clarendon Hill will be closed.  For a complete list, please visit www.somervillema.gov or check local Cable Channel 13/16 for updates.

For more information, please contact Veterans’ Services at 617-625-6600 ext 4700.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE STREET CLOSURES

** The following streets will have PARKING RESTRICTIONS from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and STREET CLOSURES beginning at 11:00 a.m. **

• Highland Ave. (Walnut St. to School St.)
• Prescott St. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)
• Putnam St. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)
• Vinal Ave. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)
• School St. (Medford St. to Highland Ave.)
• Walnut St. (Medford St. to Highland Ave.)
• College Ave. (Morrison Ave. to Davis Sq.)
• North St. (Powderhouse Blvd. to Broadway)
• Alewife Brook Parkway (to Dilboy)  * Afternoon monitoring*

• Highland Ave. (Walnut St. to Davis Sq.)
• Holland St. (Davis Sq to Teele Sq.)
• Broadway (Holland St. to Route 16)
• Dilboy Field
• American Legion Post #19 – 124 Highland Ave.
• Little Sisters of the Poor – 186 Highland Ave.
• Rite Aid – Davis Sq.
• Somerville Veterans Cemetery (North St. to Route 16)