ATHOL – Plans are set for this year’s Memorial Day parade in Athol. Brief ceremonies will be held at 8:15 a.m. at Vietnam Veterans of America Park on Main Street, across from the Athol Fire Station. That will be followed by ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. at Phillips Park on the Uptown Common and VFW Park, near the Athol Area YMCA, respectively.

Marchers will then gather at Silver Lake Cemetery at 10 a.m., where a brief service will be held before the parade proceeds to Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Athol. Deacon Bryan Lagimoniere of Our Lady Immaculate Church of Athol will offer the invocation at Silver Lake Cemetery.

After gathering at Veterans Memorial Park, marchers and the public will hear from featured speaker William Wrigley. Wrigley, a native of Orange, served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and was a member of the Army’s Judge Advocate General Corp. The parade marshal will be U.S. Air Force and Korean War veteran Don Frye. Deacon Lagimonier will offer the closing prayer. The day’s master of ceremonies is veteran Scott Hume, a former U.S. Air Force staff sergeant who served from 1981-1987.

Ogranizations taking part in Memorial Day events include AmVets Post 793, American Legion Post 102, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 690, Pequoig Detachment 1186 Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America Post 340, and Disabled American Veterans Post 46.

PHILLIPSTON — A parade will step off from the center of town at 9 a.m. and proceed to the Uptown Cemetery on Baldwinville Road. The theme of the morning is the Civil War. The Gardner Minutemen Pathfinder Drum Corp will be among those marching. Retired state Sen. Stephen Brewer will honor long-time community activist Opal Clark for her many decades of service to the community. The town’s Selectboard and Red Apple Farm will provide donuts. Water and juice boxes will also be provided. The parade grand marshal is Selectboard member Nicole Gough, who also organized the event with the assistance of Karissa Moore, Mike Flye, and Julie Hendrickson. Gough will also give the welcoming speech.

PETERSHAM — Monday’s Memorial Day parade, under the auspices of Petersham Post 415 American Legion, will form at the flag pole on West Street. According to the event program, the Legion is being assisted by “veterans of all wars, matrons and daughters, clergy, schoolchildren and citizens.” Music will be provided by the Petersham Brass Band. The parade steps off at 9:30 a.m.

Grand Marshal of the day is Mark Ellis, Officer of the Day is Commander Larry Robinson. Rev. Geoffrey Smith will offer prayer at the flag pole. Fire Chief Robert Legare will read the Fire Department Honor Roll, with the Police Department Honor Roll being read by Chief Peter Buck.

The parade then proceeds to the Village Cemetery, where Rev. John Pastor will offer prayer. Janice Olson will read the Roll of Honor of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War Honor Roll will be read by James Berry. The American Legion Firing Squad will fire a salute before the playing of Taps.

Ceremonies then move to the Memorial Trees, where Robert Pasic will read the World War I Honor Roll. Diona Laford will read the John McCrae’s 1915 poem Flanders Fields, Shawn Jensen will present the Gettysburg Address. Charles Tower, Robert Perkins, Larry Robinson, and Robert Laford will read the honor rolls for World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Grenada, Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan actions, respectively. A memorial wreath will be placed by Richard Cooley and Robert Pasic. After a proclamation from Selectboard Chair Sudan Dougherty, Legion Commander Ronald DeJackome will offer his remarks. Benediction will be offered by Rev. Cynthia Crosson-Harrington. Playing of Taps will conclude the morning’s activities.

ROYALSTON – Memorial Day ceremonies will begin at 2 p.m. on Royalston Common. John Divoll will serve as master of ceremonies. Opening prayer will be offered by Chaplain Peter Newman, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Steven Egan. Jessie James will sing the National Anthem. Egan will also serve as keynote speaker for the event. Roberta Newman of the Women’s Auxiliary will provide The Meaning Behind the 13 Folds of Old Glory. Fire Chief Eric Jack will then place a wreath at the memorial on the Common. Athol American Legion Post 102, Peter Newman, Commander, will provide the Honor Guard for the event. Newman will conclude the morning with a closing prayer before the American Flag is raised to full staff on the flag pole on The Common. Byard Hard, seventh grader with the Chicken Coop at the Farm School, will play Taps.

WINCHENDON — A Memorial Day remembrance will be held at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. The ceremony will commence at 9 a.m. in front of the administration building.

“Local dignitaries will join our Secretary of Veterans’ Services, Jon Santiago, to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery posted on its Facebook page. “They will each give heartfelt tributes to remind us of the deep gratitude we owe to our fallen heroes. Let us always remember their courage and dedication. The public is encouraged to bring a chair, and umbrella in case of inclement weather. Parking is available on the cemetery grounds.”

The public is invited to attend any of the various ceremonies taking place throughout the morning.

— GREG VINE