By Mark Caracciolo
The villages of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach will hold Memorial Day observances on Monday, May 26, honoring the sacrifices of those who died in service to the nation.
Wellington will host a parade and ceremony on Monday, May 26. The brief parade will start at 8:15 a.m. at Wellington Village Hall (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). It will end at the Wellington Veterans Memorial, located at the corner of South Shore and Forest Hill boulevards at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Active duty or retired veterans attending the ceremony will have an opportunity to register at the Wellington tent, the morning of the event, to be recognized during the ceremony.
“It is a day to honor our veterans and hometown heroes. Their bravery and ultimate sacrifice needs to be remembered and honored,” Assistant Community Events Director Michelle Garvey said.
The parade and ceremony will include a number of community groups and organizations, including Wellington’s American Legion Post 390, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and scout groups.
“This year, we will have the DAR [Daughters of the American Revolution] unveil a bronze plaque at the site, and the Wellington Rotary Club will speak about the ‘Flags of Wellington’ program, available for purchase and on display by our Patriot Memorial.”
Last year’s keynote speaker for the event, Krissy Robbs of American Legion Post 390, will also be returning to be this year’s keynote speaker.
If you wish to join the parade, call Garvey at (561) 791-4082. To learn more about Wellington’s American Legion Post 390, e-mail wellingtonlegion390@gmail.com.
Royal Palm Beach’s Memorial Day Ceremony will include a continental breakfast starting at 9 a.m. at the Veterans Park Amphitheater, located at 1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m., also at the Veterans Park Amphitheater.
The event is planned to start with a flag raising ceremony with Royal Palm Beach’s American Legion Post 367 Color Guard and the Royal Palm Beach High School JROTC, an invocation and opening remarks from Mayor Jeff Hmara, a retired U.S. Army officer.
Three guest speakers, all veterans, are planned to give speeches at the event as well, which will be followed by the laying of a wreath, a 21-gun salute, the playing of “Taps” by American Legion Post 367 and a battle cross presentation dedicated to lost soldiers.
The Royal Palm Beach Community Band will end the ceremony with patriotic music.
“It is an opportunity and responsibility to pause, to stop and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by fellow Americans throughout history,” Hmara said of the ceremony. “We are very fortunate, and we are very blessed in this country. Freedom is not free.”
