Published May 30, 2019
IN THE SHADE of the Great Oak, “Taps” is played by Christopher Nearing, assistant drum major of the NRHS marching band, during solemn Memorial Day services Monday. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
By MAUREEN DOHERTY
NORTH READING — A picture-perfect sun-filled day greeted those participating in the town’s festive Memorial Day parade and the more somber post-parade ceremony as well as the morning services held at the town’s cemeteries and Blue Star memorial earlier in the morning.
Organized for the 44th consecutive year by the North Reading Company of Minit and Militia under the command of Captain John Richard, the parade and ceremony were both coordinated by Lt. Richard B. Stratton Sr. who also keeps the beat on the drum for the company’s marchers. The local company was joined once again by members of the Reading Minutemen whose ranks have expanded to include some younger members, including Michael Peacock, 11, Keith Major, 15, and Bradley Brooks, 21.
Multiple generations gathered on the town common an hour prior to the 10 a.m. start as hundreds of children excitedly met up with their friends and teammates wearing every color of the rainbow, from team colors to red, white and blue to the uniforms of their scouting groups, youth groups, churches and other organizations.
PARADE MARSHAL Bob Mauceri and his wife Angela prepare to cruise in style in a vintage convertible driven by Mark Hall. Gordon Hall props up the vintage campaign sign. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
Well over a dozen youngsters participated in the traditional decorated bicycle contest in which the most patriotic bikes, trikes and wagons were judged by Town Moderator John Murphy and North Reading Minit and Militia Captain John Richard. It was a difficult task but they finally awarded 4-year-old Layla Roy with the first-place ribbon; 3-year-old Gabriella Iannessa with the second-place ribbon and 9-year-old Liam Duane with the third-place ribbon. Each child also received a gift card for an ice cream treat and all participants were welcome to join the parade.
The parade was led by honorary parade marshal Bob Mauceri and his wife Angela in recognition of his 47-plus years of public service to the town as member of the Select Board, Hillview Commission, Finance Committee and School Committee.
Many vintage and antique cars and trucks were showcased as well, available to escort the town’s oldest veterans, those from World War II. Among them were Joe Sadlow, Walter Fitzmaurice and Ed Piercey. Several veterans also rode on their veterans float.
WINNERS of the traditional decorated bicycle contest, shown with Town Moderator John Murphy who judged the contest with Capt. John Richard of the Minit and Militia were (from left): Layla Roy, 4, first; Gabriella Iannessa, 3, second; and Liam Duane, 9, third. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
This year marked the 152nd anniversary of a Memorial Day observance by the United States as the entire country paused to remember and reflect upon the sacrifices made by those men and women who have fought and died for the preservation of the freedoms we continue to enjoy today.
The parade route steps off from the Bow Street side of the town common and passes by the grassy memorial circle in front of Flint Memorial Hall. It was 50 years ago, on Memorial Day 1969, that this circle was named in honor of the town’s first soldier to be killed in action in Vietnam, Sgt. Eugene Raymond Moreau, a member of the Special Forces Green Berets of the 101st Airborne, according to the Transcript’s archives. He was also a member of the Class of 1960 at North Reading High School. Before the war ended, North Reading would lose two more of her sons, both weeks apart in 1968 — Jimmie Cuoto and Daniel Callahan.
On Monday, well over 100 people had gathered just on this circle alone to watch the parade which included the marching Hornets, the Boy Scout Color Guard the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard— 25th Marines; local politicians representing the Select Board: Stephen O’Leary, Andrew Schultz, Richard Wallner and Liane Gonzalez; Town Moderator John Murphy and Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto.
AMONG THE VETS who road the parade route on a decorated flatbed float were (front, l-r) Michael Barker, Army veteran of the Gulf War; Gerard Pelletier, Navy veteran of Vietnam; (back, l-r): Charlie Durham, Army veteran during the Cold War era; and Albert DiSalvo, Coast Guard veteran from Vietnam through the Persian Gulf, both active and reserves. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
The North Reading Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10874 was also well-represented at the parade.
Also represented were every division of scouting, from Girl Scouts to Boy Scouts and Venture Crew, floats by the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Trinity Evangelical Church and St. Theresa’s Youth Ministry; a float by Fitzgerald Realty, the Historical Society, Martin’s Pond Association, the American Red Cross and 4-H Rounders.
North Reading teams represented included Little League and the Challenger League, Youth Softball and Youth Soccer. More antique cars and a full complement of North Reading Fire Department vehicles rounded out the display.
Common ceremonies
Once the band and members of the Minit and Militia regrouped on the town common, Sgt. Geoffrey Bemiss offered opening remarks followed by the invocation by Father Thomas Reilly of St. Theresa Church. Select Board member Liane Gonzalez read the proclamation by Gov. Charlie Baker, followed by the National Anthem played by the NRHS Marching Band under the direction of Drum Major Jessica Palazzolo.
GREATEST GENERATION veteran Joe Sadlow, who served during WWII, had a great time riding the parade route in Chris Pappavaselio’s convertible. (Maureen Doherty Photo)
Bemiss then read the veterans roll of honor to mark the passing of veterans from town during the past year, including: Carl J. Anderson, Norman M. Baxter, Leon V. Bernier, former state Sen. Robert C. Buell, Kenneth W. Castine, Albert J. DesRoche, Glen A. Dobson Jr., Alexander T. Fairweather, Frederick M. Finnemore, Edna M. Gerardi, Robert H. Greabell Jr., Michael A. Greenough, Donald Genzler, Alfred L. Lisby, Bruce F. Lowthers Sr., Joseph Marotta, Joseph Noonan, Daniel L. O’Donnell, John P. Parker, William A. Richardson, Richard A. Roberts, William L. Roberts Sr., Benjamin F. Sands Jr., John A. Santolucito Sr., and William A. Woods.
He also acknowledged three members of the 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Division Reserve Unit who were killed in action this year as this regiment has provided the colors for the town’s veterans ceremonies: Cpl. Robert A. Hendricks, Sgt. Benjamin S. Hines and SSgt. Christopher K. A. Slutman.
Later, Bemiss also acknowledged the passing of Charles E. Jones, the longtime vice principal and revered history teacher at North Reading Middle School for the respect he instilled in generations of school children in this town for the country’s veterans.
The keynote address was read by Select Board member Richard Wallner (which is reprinted in its entirety elsewhere in today’s Transcript). The band played “American March Classics” and “Washington Post,” which was followed by the firing of the volleys by the North Reading Minit and Militia and the placing of the laurel wreaths at the veterans memorials by members of the North Reading VFW Post 10874 under the command of Arthur G. Cole Jr.
