Haverhill Preps for Memorial Day with Event Lineup Starting Friday

Memorial Day observances are scheduled throughout Haverhill in the lead up to the holiday itself, next Monday.Jeffrey Hollett, Haverhill’s veteran services director, gave an overview of upcoming Memorial Day-related happenings during a recent appearance on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program.He said this year’s theme is “What Does Memorial Day Mean to You?”“I would like to see Memorial Day Week become a week of events every single day of the week prior to,” Hollett said.This Friday, May 22, students at the John C. Tilton School on Grove Street will hold the school’s Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Veterans, families and friends have been invited to the tribute which includes a student concert.On Saturday, May 23, veterans, scouting and other youth groups, services clubs and allies are gathering at 9 a.m., at the Haverhill AmVets Post 147, 576 Primrose St. The post is the staging area for those who are placing small American flags on veterans’ graves buried within Haverhill’s 17 cemeteries. Hollett said for many this rite has become an annual tradition.“We’ve purchased over 8,000 flags this year. We have plans to put out over 8,000 flags. We can’t do that without volunteers,” Hollett said.On Sunday, May 24, church bells across the city will ring at noon as part of the national “Ring For the Fallen” tribute. Hollett notes this ritual has been adopted by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as a way of honoring firefighters who have died in the line of service as well.Haverhill’s Annual Memorial Day Parade step off Monday, at 10:45 a.m., from the Haverhill Firefighting Museum, 75 Kenoza Ave. Those marching are asked gather at 10 a.m. The parade will march to Linwood Cemetery, 41 John Ward Ave., where the Memorial Day ceremony will take place. The AmVets host lunch following the ceremony at the post, 576 Primrose St.The city’s Memorial Day activities conclude with the National Moment of Silence at 3 p.m., Monday, May 25. Anyone with a bell is asked to ring it for 21 seconds beginning at 2:59 p.m. Then, at 3 p.m., the moment of silence commences for 21 seconds.Hollett is also encouraging veterans to take part in the Memorial Day Creative Sanctuary. The online program encourages anyone inspired by the solemnity of the day to submit an essay or poem to Mission Belonging’s website. The organization’s “Writing in the Arena” provides a place “to explore identity and to find purpose and meaning following military service through creativity and shared experience.” Those interested in participating may visit MissionBelonging.org.Hollett also asked that other city organizations planning an observance let him know by calling his office at 978-374-2351, ext. 3932.Support the show