Memorial Day Services 2012

A program of events around Brookline to comemmorate Memorial Day. 

A shuttle departs from  at 8 a.m., goes to , and will return to the World War Monument infront of  at 11 a.m. for the concluding ceremonies.

Program at the Grand Army of the Republic Monument

• Fife and Drum Bostonia Allarum, Revolutionary War Re-enactors
• Invocation by Reverend David Johnson, Minister Emeritus at 
• Tribute to the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) by Reverend David Johnson, Minister Emeritus at First Parish Church
• Laying of a Wreath presented by Arthur Hurley of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stephen F. Rutledge Post
• Musical Selection by Amanda Cavanaugh

Program at Walnut Hills Cemetery's Veterans' Lot

Conducted by Dr. Ron Nasif, Commander-American Legion Post 11

• Red Basket presented by Allen Macpherson, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864
• White Basket presented by Robert Farrell, Member-American Legion Post 11
• Blue Basket presented by Jack Flannery, Member Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, Member-American Legion Post 11
• Firing Squad and Honor Guard composed of members of the American Legion,Veterans of Foreign Wars-Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, ,  and Brighton High School JROTC
• Taps and Echo performed by Brighton High School JROTC

Program at Brookline Revolutionary Cemetery

• Fife and Drum Bostonia Allarum, Revolutionary War Re-enactors
  
• Welcome by Frances Greenleaf Hill, State Chairman of National Defense, DAR
• Placing of a Wreath by Emily Farnsworth, Regent of Hannah Goddard Chapter, DAR; Frances Greenleaf Hill, State Chairman of National Defense, DAR; Dianne Laffey, Member Hannah Goddard Chapter, DAR
• Invocation by Reverend David Johnson, Minister Emeritus at 
• Firing Squad and Honor Guard composed of members of the American Legion,Veterans of Foreign Wars-Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, ,  and Brighton High School JROTC
• Musical Selection by Amanda Cavanaugh
• Taps and Echo performed by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864;American Legion Post 11; Brookline Police Department; Brookline Fire Department; Brighton High School JROTC
• Fife and Drum Bostonia Allarum, Revolutionary War Re-enactors

Program at Town Hall and Rededication of Civil War Tablets

Conducted by Bill McGroarty, Director of Department of Veterans’ Services

• Fife and Drum Bostonia Allarum, Revolutionary War Re-enactors
• Greeting and Introduction of Officer of the Day by Dr. Ron Nasif, Commander- American Legion Post 11
• Invocation by Reverend David Johnson, Minister Emeritus at 
• Pledge of Allegiance By Robert Murphy, Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stephen F.Rutledge Post 864
• National Anthem by Kristin DeFosse
• Moment of Silence for Deceased Members for American Legion lead by Herbert Taymor, Finance Officer, American Legion Post 11;Past Jr. Vice-Commander, VFW Post 864 
• Moment of Silence for Deceased Members for Veterans of Foreign Wars Jack McCarthy, Member-Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stephen F. Rutledge Post 86
• Introduction of Dignitaries by Bill McGroarty, Director of Department of Veterans’ Services
• Greetings from the Town by Jesse Mermell, Board of Selectmen
• Memorial Day Proclamation by Honorable Frank Smizik, House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Fife and Drum by Bostonia Allarum, Revolutionary War Re-enactors
• President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address read by LTC Piffer, Senior Military Instructor JROTC
• Reading of General Logan's Orders by Herbert Taymor, Finance Officer, American Legion Post 11;Past Jr. Vice-Commander, VFW Post 864 
• Introduction of Speakers by Bill McGroarty, Director of Department of Veterans’ Services
• Guest SpeakerStaff Sergeant Sherry A. Mohr, United States Army
• Presentation of Certificates of Achievement Staff Sergeant Mohr Cornelia Schultz, WWII Veteran
• Reading of Civil Warr Honor Roll by Betsy DeWitt, Chair of the Board of Selectmen
• Fife and Drum by Bostonia Allarum, Revolutionary War Re-enactors
• Placing of Wreath at Civil War Marker Arthur Hurley, WWII Veteran, Silver Star Recipient,  Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars-Stephen F. Rutledge Post 86
• Battle Hymn of the Republic by Kristen DeFosse
• Benediction by Reverend David Johnson, Minister Emeritus at First Parish Church
• Firing Squad and Honor Guard composed of members of the American Legion,Veterans of Foreign Wars-Stephen F. Rutledge Post 864, ,  and Brighton High School JROTC
• America the Beautiful by Kristen DeFosse

All participants are invited to a Collation at the American Legion/VFW Veterans Post immediately followingthe Memorial Day ceremony