Memorial Day weekend's almost here. What to know about parades and events in Brockton area

BROCKTON ― Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, with people celebrating the long weekend with barbecues, family gatherings and going to the beach.

But let's not forget to honor the fallen, as that's what the holiday is really about.

Memorial Day ― which falls on Monday May 27 this year ― began in 1868 as Decoration Day after the Civil War ended as a time set aside to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.

After World War I, the holiday evolved to honor American military personnel who died in all wars.

Today, men and women still give their lives so America can remain free.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect and think about all of the soldiers who have given the ultimate gift — their lives.

You can honor their memory by visiting cemeteries and memorials, placing flowers and flags on their graves and watching or participating in parades.

Here are the Memorial Day weekend parades, ceremonies and other events scheduled in Brockton-area communities.

ABINGTON

The Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on Monday inside Mount Vernon Cemetery at the Veterans Lot.

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AVON

The Memorial Day parade will start at noon on Saturday, May 25 at St. Michael’s Church at 87 North Main St. The parade will proceed past the fire station, on Route 28, by the Avon Town Offices (which will have seating for seniors to watch the parade) and will conclude at the Avon VFW. All parade participants and spectators are welcome to attend a free cookout after the parade at the VFW.

BRIDGEWATER

The Memorial Day parade will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Monday on Stetson Street and will proceed south on Route 18 toward the Town Common, where there will be a ceremony. There will be ceremonies at five of the area cemeteries in the morning starting at 7 a.m. that will be facilitated by the VFW post 2125. This will include laying of wreaths, firing of guns and playing of Taps.

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BROCKTON

The annual Memorial Day parade steps off at 10 a.m. Monday beginning at the War Memorial Building, 156 W. Elm St. Parade route will be West Elm Street, to Newbury Street, to Belmont Street, to Main Street and marching back to the War Memorial Building, where there will be a ceremony at 10:30 a.m. A special tribute will be paid to Danny L. May Sr. In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled and a ceremony will be held inside the War Memorial Building.

EAST BRIDGEWATER

The 156th Commemoration of Memorial Day will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday on the Town Common. Following the ceremony, a family-style chicken barbecue will be held in the Peter Moskos Pavilion located at the East Bridgewater Commercial Club.

EASTON

Easton’s Memorial Day Parade will be held at 10 a.m. Monday. Those planning to march should arrive by 9:30 a.m. at Church Street Cemetery.  Parade marshall is PO1 Donald Almeida USN Aviation.  The parade route will travel on Depot Street toward the Civil War Memorial, where the parade will conclude with a ceremony.

After the parade, all are welcome to join for complimentary food and hear speaker Ed Hands, town historian, at the Center School.  In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at VFW Hall, 61 Rockland St. The food trucks will also be there.

HALIFAX

The annual Memorial Day Parade and ceremony will take place on Monday,from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Halifax Country Club and conclude at Town Hall, 499 Plymouth St., at approximately 10 a.m. to begin the ceremony. The ceremony will be held in front of the Town Hall.

HOLBROOK

The Memorial Day parade will commence at 11 a.m. Monday, starting from the Holbrook Middle Senior High School parking lot and conclude at Town Hall.

MIDDLEBORO

The Memorial Day parade steps off at 10 a.m. Monday from the Town Hall parking lot. The parade route will travel right onto Union Street, to Nickerson Avenue, left onto South Main Street,  left onto Centre Street, to John Glass Square/Everett Square, onto High Street, onto Oak Street, onto Centre Street, onto South Main Street to the walkway into the Middleborough Veterans’ Memorial Park. Following the parade, a ceremony  will be held at the Middleborough Veterans’ Memorial Park starting at approximately 11 a.m. This year’s ceremony will honor Angelo AJ Lapanna, a lifelong Middleboro resident, Middleboro Police Officer and US Army veteran.

RANDOLPH

Memorial Day events will be begin with the Randolph Elks holding a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Monday in front of Town Hall. Town of Randolph will then hold a ceremony at 9 a.m. at the War Memorial in front of Town Hall with featured speaker US Navy Seabees Senior Chief Dan Yaccarino. Upon conclusion of the ceremonies in Crawford Square, all units will meet up at the parking lot next to Zapustas Ice Arena for a march to St Mary’s and Central cemeteries. Ceremonies will be held at Central Cemetery at 10:15 a.m. and at St. Mary’s Cemetery at 10:45 a.m. All are invited to AMVETS Post 51 on AMVETS Lane for refreshments following the ceremonies.

RAYNHAM

The 10th annual Memorial Day parade will step off at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Merrill Elementary School. The parade will proceed on Pleasant Street, through the four corners and along South Main Street. Parade will turn onto King Philip Street and conclude at Gazebo Park, where the commemorative ceremony will take place at 11:15 a.m.

ROCKLAND

The Town of Rockland will conduct a Memorial Day Observance and Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Rockland  Veterans Memorial on Taunton Avenue. The ceremony will include a Grand Marshall, Gold Star Family honors, several people reading patriotic tributes, and the Rockland High School Band led by John Piazza and his trumpet. Rockland Fire and Police Honor Guards will participate, as well as other community members. Rockland Fire Department will also be flying the US flag from their ladder trucks. Attendees are welcome to bring a lawn chair. Parking will be available in the school parking lot. If weather conditions are poot, the ceremony will be moved to the high school auditorium.

STOUGHTON

The Memorial Day parade will form at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Public Works on Central Street and step off at 9 a.m. The parade route will go from Public Works to the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery for two ceremonies, then to the Pearl Street Cemetery for a ceremony. The parade will then proceed to the Stoughton Town Hall for a ceremony and wreath laying at the Memorial Bell.  Ceremonies there will begin at 10:15 a.m.  Parade will proceed through Stoughton Square to Faxon Veterans’ Memorial Park for ceremonies at the two memorials. Parade will then proceed to Washington Street and on to Evergreen Cemetery for two ceremonies at the GAR Lot and the American Legion Burial site. A collation will follow at VFW Post 1645 at 4 Seaver St.

WEST BRIDGEWATER

The annual Memorial Day Commemorative Service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at the War Memorial Park.

Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Memorial Day weekend's almost here. What to know about parades and events in Brockton area