Bristol Memorial Day Observances will be held on May 30

BRISTOL — The combined high school and middle school band and chorus will participate in the Bristol Memorial Day Observances, marching in the parade and performing patriotic selections for the community on Monday, May 30.

The parade begins at Freudenberg-NOK at 9:30 a.m. and marches to the Homeland Cemetery where there will be a short introduction to Memorial Day and reading of a list of names of those veterans who have been buried at the cemetery since last Memorial Day. A wreath will be laid in front of the bench donated in memory of all the veterans who fought for freedom. There will be a selection by the band and a firing detail to honor all the veterans who have passed away in the past year. A prayer, and Taps and echo will be played.

The procession will then head to the Richard Musgrove Bridge over the rushing Newfound River where a wreath is thrown in memory of all those lost at sea. There will be a prayer by Pastor Wayne Toutaint, firing detail, Taps and echo.

Next we reform and march to the Newfound Memorial Middle School where we will hear a short introduction to the meaning of Memorial Day. A wreath will be laid in front of the flagpole where the bronze plaque honoring local veterans was installed during April vacation. Newfound Area Memorial VFW Post 10640 paid to have the plaque moved to in front of the flagpole on a granite upright so that members of the community could have an opportunity to view the memorial. A short history of the memorial plaque is that around 1950 the town voted to build a new school and the new school was dedicated to the Second World War veterans.

This year’s winner of the Voice of Democracy competition will read the award winning speech. There will be a selection by the musicians, a prayer and benediction by Pastor Toutaint and conclusion of the ceremony.