Published May 27, 2021
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — While COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the town’s annual Memorial Day parade for the second consecutive year, this setback does not mean that the town’s current or past veterans have been forgotten.
Quite the opposite is true. On Monday of this week, members of the North Reading Company of Minit and Militia continued their long-standing tradition of placing wreaths at each of the veterans memorials on the Town Common as well as at the Blue Star Memorial at Ipswich River Park.
Additionally, they placed wreaths and American flags at seven memorials in different locations throughout town.
“These memorials are in honor of those town residents killed in different conflicts,” according to Minit and Militia member Gordon Hall, who is himself a veteran.
According to Hall, these memorials have been dedicated over the years to the following men: Pvt. Frederick Clarke, U.S. Army, WWII; CPT. Lewis A Titcomb, U.S. Air Force, WWII; Pvt. Robert Richardson, U.S. Army, Korea; S1/4 Daniel Callahan, Infantry, Viet Nam; Lance Cpl. Jimmie Couto, Marine, Viet Nam; Sgt. Eugene R. Moreau, Viet Nam; and John Bacheller.
And although the Minit and Militia was unable to organize a Memorial Day parade and services on the Town Common this year due to the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, they will return to each of the town’s three cemeteries and the Blue Star Memorial in the early morning hours of the holiday. At each cemetery, the honor roll of the veterans buried there is read aloud, followed by a musket salute. Those veterans from town who have died since last year’s ceremony will also be acknowledged.
Public invited
The good news is that the public is invited to attend any or all of these services thanks to the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions by both Gov. Baker and the local Board of Health now that the curve has finally been flattened.
The schedule is as follows:
• 7:00 AM— Riverside Cemetery, Elm St.
• 7:45 AM— Harmony Vale Cemetery, Chestnut St. (beside Heritage Way)
• 8:30 AM— Ipswich River Park’s Blue Star Memorial, 15 Central St.
• 8:45 AM— Park Street Cemetery (Rte. 62)
Last year, to prevent crowds from gathering, the Minit and Militia conducted these services privately a week early which enabled NORCAM to record each one and include it in their virtual ceremony which had aired on Memorial Day. This year, they ask that social distance be maintained.
NORCAM has incorporated footage from the cemeteries into this year’s updated virtual Memorial Day ceremony, which will air at 11 a.m. on the holiday on all of the local access channels of both Verizon and Comcast. Tune in to Comcast Channels 8, 22 or 99 or Verizon Channels 24, 26 or 28 to see the show which also consists of footage of past town parades and inspiring messages from members of the community, including veterans, family members of veterans, town officials and politicians.
From musket volleys to the crack of the bat
After the morning Memorial Day ceremonies, enjoy another town tradition as American as apple pie – an alumni baseball game at Carey Park featuring the Hornet stars of yesteryear at 10 a.m.
The 41st annual Hunt Memorial Alumni Baseball Game serves as a fundraiser for the Hunt Memorial Baseball Scholarship to be awarded to a deserving NRHS senior.
Gloria Mastro to be honored This year, the North Reading Diamond Club will also dedicate the concession stand at the field in honor of the late Gloria Mastro who was instrumental in fundraising for the baseball team and all Hornet sports as a member of the original Athletic Boosters. The dedication ceremony will take place after the game from about 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. and family members will be present.
