Halligan to Fund Mem Day Parade

With the revival of the annual Memorial Day parade this year after a two-year hiatus under, now under the leadership of the American Legion “Eddie Grant” Post 75 and the VFW Post 3402, there have been many details to attend to, and volunteers have been tackling them one by one.

But a big sticking point remained the costs of hiring police details to ensure safety and security at the event – estimated recently to cost about $2,000.

Fortunately, local businessman and former Planning Board member Joe Halligan, has stepped up and offered to cover the whole thing.

“When I heard about the problems the veterans were having, I decided that the parade must go on – it’s a great town tradition -- and I contacted the Legion to let them know I would pay for the costs,” he said.

Legion Post Commander John Milot said the gift has been a huge help. “The last big challenge we are working on now is arranging liability insurance between the Legion and the VFW,” he said.

The parade, slated for Monday, May 30, is expected to follow the same route as in previous years with a staging area at Depot Street and the MBTA lot. The parade will proceed up Main Street and pause for an observance at the war memorial on the Dean campus. The parade will then turn down School Street and cross Union stopping at 140 while the Honor Guard proceeds to the Union Cemetery. All will then proceed down 140 and up Beaver to the St. Mary’s cemetery for another observance. The parade will then continue to the Common for further ceremonial activity.