By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING — The North Reading Minit and Militia have selected Rich and Linda Stratton as Honorary Marshals for the town’s annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27 at 11:15 a.m. The traditional ceremonies on the common will begin at 10 a.m., including speeches, reading of the honor roll, musket volleys, and music provided by the award-winning NRHS Marching Band.

The Strattons have been residents of North Reading for over 43 years and have supported, contributed and participated in many North Reading organizations over the years.

Rich, a Vietnam veteran, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduating from Roslindale High School 1964. He served six years, spending 1965-1966 in combat operations with the 2nd and 4th Marines Infantry, in South Vietnam. Rich is a graduate of Northeastern University and the University of Bridgeport, with an AS and BS in Industrial Engineering and Management. He retired from Hewlett Packard Corporation in 2010 as a Business Development Manager.

Linda upon graduation from Everett High School in 1966, pursued a career in Administration Assistance. She worked at B & M Railroad as Administrative Support to the Controller. Linda put her career on hold to marry Rich in 1969. Together they raised a daughter, Leah, and son, Richard Jr. They now are blessed with five grandchildren, with one great-grandchild on the way. Linda retired from the Pike School in 2012 as Accounts Payable Manager.

They both serve as North Reading Town Election Officials as poll workers.

Linda has supported and participated with Rich in the following North Reading organizations:

  • North Reading Minit and Militia, past Captain and Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade Coordinator.
  • North Reading Veterans Memorial (Founding Member) and Veterans Events (Chair) Committees.
  • North Reading Post 10874 Veterans of Foreign Wars (Quartermaster /Adjutant).
  • Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 837, Wakefield (Trustee)
  • North Reading Masonic Lodge (Past Treasurer), Scottish Rite Mason (32nd degree, Actor), Shriner (Noble).
  • North Reading Historical Society – Putnam Properties Committee (Vice Chair).
  • North Reading Republican Town Committee (Treasurer), Linda (Media Coordinator).

PARADE DETAILS

The town’s traditional Memorial Day ceremonies will begin at the top of the Town Common at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 27. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Memorial Day marching units will assemble on the Bow Street side of the Common starting at approximately 10:45 a.m. and the parade, with the Strattons leading the procession, will step off at 11:15 a.m.

The parade will follow the traditional route, passing the library, turning right onto Park Street, right onto Mt. Vernon Street, right onto Haverhill Street, and back to the common where refreshments will be served at the Senior Center for participants.

DECORATED BICYCLE CONTEST

Children are invited to participate in the annual decorated bicycle contest and then ride in the parade with all the marchers! Judging by Town Moderator John Murphy will commence at 10:45 a.m. All contestants will gather at the front steps to the Edith O’Leary Senior Center at the top the Town Common. Look for the bright fluorescent orange posters to guide you to the judging area

PUBLIC INVITED TO CEMETERY SERVICES

Times for the early morning services at the town’s cemeteries, hosted by the North Reading Minit and Militia, remain the same: Riverside Cemetery on Elm Street at 7 a.m.; Harmony Vale Cemetery on Chestnut Street at 7:45 a.m.; Ipswich River Park Blue Star Memorial at 8:15 a.m.; and closing with services at the Park Street Cemetery at 8:45 a.m.