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Town of Concord
Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee
Calendar of Public Ceremonies 2007-2008
(Information and Photos Courtesy of Ruth Lauer)
Veterans’ Day Flag Retirement
Sunday, November 11, 2007
2PM
Muster at Prichard’s Gate
The Flag Retirement Ceremony is traditionally held each year on Veteran’s Day and enables Concordians the opportunity to retire their American Flags in a respectful and appropriate manner. This local ceremony was established in 1965 by James Carroll, Francis McDonald, Bernard Rushe, Thomas Tombeno and Clark McClevin, who felt that the many cemetery flags, which were torn and faded from being left in place through the fall and winter months, honored neither our nation’s colors nor our departed veterans. It was decided that each year, on Veteran’s Day, the worn flags would be collected by the Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee and retired in an appropriate manner. |
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Veteran's Day Flag Retirement |
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Honored Citizen Reception
Sunday, March 16, 2008
1:30PM
Town House
The Honored Citizen of 2008 is Marian F. Thornton
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Each year since 1962, Concord has acknowledged the outstanding efforts of some very dedicated citizens at the Honored Citizen Celebration. The award to the Honored Citizen is intangible. For the year of honor, the citizen shall be the steward of the Boston Post Cane and the Commemorative Clock. In addition, the individual’s name is added to the plaque in the Town House and he or she is asked to lead the Patriots Day Parade. The Honored Citizen(s) shall be a resident(s) of the Town of Concord who is not a Town Employee or an Elected Official. Selection is based upon significant volunteer service to the Town and/or fellow citizens which is above and beyond any remuneration (employment or profession is not
considered). Volunteer service shall have been given over an extended period of time and evaluated upon depth of commitment; position(s) held and amount of time given.
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Meriam’s Corner Exercise
Saturday, April 12, 2008
1:00PM
Muster at Ripley Building
This commemoration marks the assembly and actions of militia and minuteman units that arrived at Meriam’s Corner during the British retreat from Concord, Aril 19th, 1775. After the Regulars’ withdrawal from the North Bridge where they had engaged with more than 400 Minutemen, they began a retreat back to Boston. By the time the Regulars arrived at this spot at half past noon, there were reported to be about 1,100 Minutemen in the area from more than a dozen towns. A challenge by the Regulars started a classic guerilla action, which continued for many hours as the outnumbered British retreated towards Boston. At least two British privates were killed and several others wounded here during that initial exchange. By the time the day was over, 49 Colonials had died, 73 British troops were killed, plus 173
wounded and missing. Thus began a war that would not end until Yorktown, more than six long years later, and thus our nation was born. |
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The Patriots’ Ball will occur this year on April 19th. This is not a PCCC event
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Dawn Salute
Saturday, April 19, 2008
6 AM
Muster at Buttrick Hillside
Church bells at 1st Parish toll at 5:45AM to sound the alarm. “Dr. Prescott” arrives at the North Bridge after riding across the fields calling out the warning to towns and villages that the Regulars were on the march and that their destination was Concord. The Concord Minutemen fire salutes and the Concord Independent Battery fire several volleys from the field at the Old Manse.
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Patriots’ Day Parade
Monday, April 21, 2008
9 AM
Muster at Armory
The Patriots Day Parade goes forward rain, snow or muck and covers a route of approximately 2.5 miles. Participants include musicians, Minuteman companies, color guards, cultural and youth groups and dignitaries from neighboring towns, the State, the nation, and several foreign countries with ties to Concord. At the North Bridge there is a ceremony to commemorate the engagement between the Minuteman companies and British troops with a wreath laying ceremony. The parade continues across the North Bridge and returns to Concord Center. |
Open House at Col. James Barrett Farm
Built in 1705 and a key objective of the British march on Concord
Rare opportunity to see early-phase restoration!
The ultimate goal of this project is to include Barrett Farm within the Minute Man National Historical Park and open to the public.
Sat, April 19, 10 – 2
Mon, April 21, 11 – 3
448 Barrett’s Mill Road, Concord
Timber framer (Sat) and preservation architect (Mon) and others will be on hand to answer questions
Sponsored by Save Our Heritage. This project has been generously supported thus far by the Town of Concord Community Preservation Fund, Save America’s Treasures Preservation Fund, and individual private donations.
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Memorial Day
Monday, May 26, 2008
9AM & noon
Muster at Rideout Field for 9AM and Garrison St. for noon
For some, beginning in 1775 and continuing today, responding to the challenge of citizenship has also meant a period of service in the Armed Forces. More than 1,400 men and women from Concord went to fight in WWII and just about 300 each to Korea and to Viet Nam. Today, almost 1,000 Veterans live in Concord. Memorial Day is Concord’s opportunity to honor the men and women who, as friends, relatives, neighbors, and comrades served our community and our nation. The morning ceremony assembles at Rideout Field on Laws Brook Rd. at 8:30AM and proceeds to Kenneth Dunn Square for the flag raising and brief ceremony at 9AM. At 11:30AM, the parade re-assembles at Garrison/Ash Street for the afternoon ceremonies. The parade proceeds first to St. Bernard’s and Sleepy Hollow Cemeteries. There is a short ceremony at each location. The parade will pause at the Knoll at Sleepy Hollow to acknowledge Veterans buried there. The Parade then continues to Monument Square for the reading of the Roll of Honor at approximately 1:15PM. |
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Public Ceremonies Committee
Mary Fasano, Co-Chair Ruth C. Lauer, Co-Chair
Nancy Crowley Mark Merlino
Jim Macone Wayne Busa
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