5-23-2026 4:20am

Towns Gear up For Memorial Day Events

Alan Earls Editor

Both towns gear up for celebration (and trash delays during the week).

FRANKLIN

The Town of Franklin invites residents, veterans, families and visitors to come together in remembrance and gratitude during the community’s 2026 Memorial Day observances. A series of events will honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

On Memorial Day, the community is invited to attend a series of commemorative events, beginning with ceremonies at Dean College at 9:30 a.m., Union Street Cemetery at 9:50 a.m. and St. Mary’s Cemetery at 10:10 a.m., prior to the start of the parade.

Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony — May 25, 2026
The Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026, at 11 a.m., beginning at Horace Mann Middle School and proceeding along Oak Street, Daniel McCahill Street, Union Street, West Central Street, Emmons Street and Main Street, ending at the Franklin Town Common.

View the parade route: Memorial Day 2026 Parade Route

The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 12 p.m. at the World War I Memorial on the Town Common immediately following the parade. The ceremony will honor Franklin veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day, as well as the Town’s 45 fallen heroes who died in service to the nation.
In the event of inclement weather, updates and cancellation notices will be posted on the Town’s Veterans’ Services webpage.

Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served. The Town of Franklin encourages all to take part in these observances and join in honoring the legacy of our nation’s heroes.
NOTE: American Legion Poppy sales (more accurately referred to as Poppy distributions) are a national charity program where volunteers distribute artificial red poppies in exchange for public donations. Volunteers from the Legion may be on the Common or along the parade route. The funds raised are used exclusively to support active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families who are facing financial or medical hardships. What is the history and meaning of this program? It goes back to World War I . The tradition began to memorialize the soldiers who died in World War I, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields". Bright red poppies famously flourished across the devastated battlefields of Europe

MEDWAY

The Medway Memorial Committee is proud to announce that Medway resident Peter Ciolek has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the 2026 Memorial Day proceedings.

About the Grand Marshal A 50-year resident of Medway and former owner/operator of a local glass repair business, Peter Ciolek has been a tireless supporter of our veterans and the community. Born in Italy to a Polish Army soldier, Peter migrated to the U.S. and served in the US Navy from 1966–1970, stationed at the Naval Air Station in Weymouth as a crew member on submarine-search aircraft.

"The Memorial Committee is honored to select Peter for his lifelong commitment to his country and his neighbors here in Medway."

Event Schedule: Monday, May 25, 2026

10:00 AM: Parade Departure The parade will depart from the former VFW building on Holliston Street.
Immediately Following: Ceremonies Ceremonies honoring the men and women who have valiantly served our nation will take place at Matondi Square (intersection of Holliston St. & Village St.)

Participants & Marchers This year’s procession will feature the Medway Police and Fire Departments, the Medway High School Band, the Worcester Kilties Band, town officials, and various community organizations.

A Call to Veterans: All veterans are encouraged to march and participate in this year’s parade and ceremonies. We invite you to join us as we honor the fallen and celebrate our community’s service member