By Sarah Marshall

From the Town: The Amherst Memorial Day observances will be returning to its usual Amherst annual program.  There will be a parade this year.  The Veterans Service Organizations of Amherst, as well as Central Hampshire Veteran Services, have planned this year’s remembrance with marching units from American Legion Post 148 and VFW Post 754, as well as Amherst Police and Fire departments. There will be other civic and youth organizations participating like previous years.  

There will be a ceremony to honor our deceased men and women in uniform who endured incredible sacrifices, and, for some, the ultimate sacrifice of giving their life for their country. This year’s guest speaker will be Robert H. Romer, author of the newly released book I am a Bitter Enemy to Slavery An Amherst College Student Goes to War Christopher Pennell (1842-1864).  There also will be a performance of the Amherst Pelham Regional High School Chorale.  

The President of the United States of America proclaims May 30, 2022, a National Day of Remembrance. He encourages all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance and to honor our military, past and present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. All Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals shall fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this May 30 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service.  

The Veterans Service Organizations of Amherst invites those who wish to observe this year’s ceremony to go to the grounds behind the War Memorial Pool where the parade will end and the ceremony will begin directly following.  

We look forward to seeing you there this year and encourage all community members to remember the meaning of Memorial Day in honoring those who died in military service to our nation…lest we forget…

The Memorial Day parade begins today at 9 a.m. at the Town the Common, heads up North and East Pleasant Streets to Triangle Street, and proceeds to the War Memorial Pool where the ceremony will be held.