Memorial Day may be seen as the unofficial start of summer, but it holds a much deeper meaning.

 

It is a day set aside each year to honor and remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

 

This solemn holiday became a federal observance in 1971 and is celebrated on the last Monday in May each year.

 

Across the United States, people observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials, attending parades, and gathering with family and friends to reflect on and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

 

Dartmouth

The Memorial Day Parade will kick off at 9 a.m. Monday at the Town Landing on Gulf Road. The participants will cross the Padanaram Bridge and Causeway, where the VFW Auxiliary will conduct the ceremonial wreath placement.

 

Fairhaven

The annual Memorial Day Parade steps off from Fairhaven High School at  9 a.m. Monday for the raising of the flag. Then it continues north on Main Street to Riverside Cemetery. At the cemetery, there is a ceremony at the Civil War monument with participation from military and veterans’ groups and others.

 

Fall River

The Global War on Terror Monument Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at North Park on Snake Hill. 

The Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m. starting from Kennedy Park and heading along South Main Street to Government Center.

 

New Bedford

 

The New Bedford Port Society’s annual Fishermen’s Memorial Day Service will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at Pier 3, 51 MacArthur Drive, following a procession from Seamen’s Bethel that begins at 9:30 a.m. In the event of rain, the event will be held inside Seaman’s Bethel.

 

The parade will form at the intersection of Hathaway Boulevard and Parker Street beginning around 10:30 a.m. before stepping off at 11:30 a.m.

 

The parade will march east on Parker Street to County Street, where it will turn left and head north on County Street. The parade will then turn right to head east on Pope Street, where it will make its final turn into Clasky Common Park.

 

Swansea

 

The annual Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. Monday. It will begin at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Gardners Neck Road, proceed down Wilbur Avenue, and conclude at Private Joseph Butler Boulevard.

 

Somerset 

The annual Memorial Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. Monday at Somerset Berkley Regional High School. It steps off at Luther Avenue, travels down County Street to Center Street, and down Center Street to the World War I Memorial for a wreath-laying. The procession then continues on Riverside Avenue to Wood Street, up Wood Street to County Street, and then left to the VFW, where events will wrap up with a short ceremony at the VFW Post 8500.

 

Westport

Westport’s annual parade on Monday will start at 9:30 a.m. at Westport Town Hall, 816 Main Road, with the placing of a wreath, rifle salute, and playing of Taps at the World War I monument. The half-mile-long parade will then proceed south along Main Road, ending at Beech Grove Cemetery.

 

More details at heraldnews.com.