City of Cambridge Department of Veterans’ Services to Host Memorial Day Weekend Observance Events Saturday, May 28 and Monday, May 30

The City of Cambridge Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) invites the public to attend three Memorial Day Weekend Observance Events on Saturday, May 28 and Monday, May 30, 2022.

On Saturday, May 28, from 9-10 a.m., the community is invited to assist in the decoration of veterans’ graves with flags at Cambridge Cemetery, 89 Coolidge Avenue. An Observance event will commence at 10 a.m. at the Civil War monument at the top of the hill on Bonny Path. Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui will give the city’s greetings, and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale will deliver opening remarks. Taps will be played by bugler Robinson Pyle and Amazing Grace will be played on bagpipes by Edward O’Callaghan. Refreshments will follow at 10:30 a.m. next to the Cemetery office by the main gate.

A Naval Water Ceremony will also be held on Saturday, May 28, at 12 p.m., at the Weeks Footbridge, 953 Memorial Drive. Women’s Auxiliary member, Catherine Decker, will offer flowers to the public to cast into the water in honor of those lost at sea.

Saturday, May 28 Memorial Day Weekend Observance Schedule
Event 1: Flag Decoration and Observance, Cambridge Cemetery, 89 Coolidge Ave.
9-10 a.m. Flag Decoration
10-10:30 a.m. Observance
10:30-11:15 a.m. Refreshments

Event 2: Naval Water Ceremony, Weeks Footbridge, 953 Memorial Drive
12-12:30 p.m. Naval Ceremony: Tribute flowers will be cast into the river

The Memorial Day Observance will be held on Monday, May 30, at 10:30 a.m., on the Cambridge Common, Warehouse Street and Massachusetts Avenue, in Harvard Square. Cambridge DVS Director, Neil MacInnes-Barker (US Air Force) will serve as Master of Ceremonies and Cambridge Police Superintendent Robert Lowe, a U.S. Marine veteran, will deliver the keynote address. Marching regiments and bands will parade past the review audience on the main lawn. The event on May 30 will also include performances by the Refugee Orchestra Project, Ukrainian Choir, Team Ragoza, and a procession and wreath laying by Prince Hall Masons. Family entertainment will be held by the Kemp Playground, adjacent to Waterhouse Street. Food trucks on the Cambridge Common (Garden Street side) will offer free food to veterans, on a first come, first served basis, beginning at 11 a.m.

Memorial Day Observance Monday, May 30 Schedule of Events
10:30-11 a.m. Observance with a Ukrainian Choir and Refugee Orchestra Project
11-11:30 a.m. Marching Divisions, Family Entertainment, and Food
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Refugee Orchestra Project Public Concert  
1 - 1:30 p.m. Prince Hall Masons Procession and Wreath Laying
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Team Ragoza Public Performance