On Monday, May 25, Madison remembers lost veterans and honors those who are still with us with three ceremonies and a parade through the center of town. Memorial Day carries additional significance this year, as 2015 is the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War and 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Memorial Day Parade Marshal Edward R. Guenther provided the following schedule for Memorial Day observances:

9:15 to 9:45 a.m.: All marchers to assemble in the Scranton Memorial Parking lot and the Stop & Shop parking lots.

10 a.m.: Parade begins—marchers will proceed up Samson Rock Road onto the Boston Post Road at the head of Main Street.

10:20 a.m.: Assemble on the Town Green in front of Memorial Town Hall at the three memorials for ceremonies. The observations taking place here will be the Invocation, Wreath Laying, and Flag Raising with the Daniel Hand High School (DHHS) Band playing the National Anthem, various speakers, and the R.H. Brown Middle School Band playing “God Bless America.” This ceremony will end with a volley fired by the Firing Squad and the playing of “Taps” by a member of the DHHS Band.

11:05 a.m.: Re-assemble marchers and march down the Post Road to West Cemetery.

11:25 a.m.: Ceremonies at West Cemetery—Invocation, Flag Raising, Daniel Hand High School Band playing “America the Beautiful,” Wreath laying (by members of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and winners of the wreath making contests), a volley by the Firing Squad, and “Taps.”

11:40 a.m.: The participants will be dismissed at this time to the American Legion Hall, Refreshments will be distributed to the marchers at the Legion Hall.

Noon: American Legionnaires, VFW members, and veterans will board a bus for a ride to West Wharf.

12:15 p.m.: Ceremonies at West Wharf—Invocation, Wreath Laying (upon the waters in honor of our Naval dead,) a volley by the Combined Firing Squad, and “Taps.”

12:30 p.m.: American Legionnaires, VFW, and veterans to re-board bus for trip to VFW Hall on Lovers Lane for Flag Raising. Dismissal at 12:45 p.m.

With the exception of the start time of precisely 10 a.m., all times are approximate.

In the event of rain, at 9:30 a.m., the parade will be canceled and the ceremonies adjourned to the American Legion Hall on Bradley Road to be performed at 10:30 a.m. At the conclusion of the indoor ceremonies, members of the American Legion, the VFW and veterans will go to the Green, West Cemetery and West Wharf to lay wreaths and raise the flags. All interested persons are invited to attend any or all of these ceremonies.

Anyone wishing to participate in the Memorial Day Parade may call Ed Guenther at 203-245-9423.