Memorial Day weekend events planned to remember New Bedford veterans

Several events are planned in New Bedford throughout the upcoming Memorial Day weekend to honor the courageous men and women who lost their lives serving the United States.

Events are returning to traditional in-person formats for the first time since 2019. Memorial services and wreath-layings were broadcast online in 2020 and 2021, in lieu of parades and large-scale events, due to COVID-19.

This weekend’s events include:

Saturday, May 28
9 a.m. at Rural Cemetery

The Greater New Bedford Civil War Round Table will conduct a memorial exercise at the Union Soldier’s Burial Site at Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth St. These services typically include historical reenactments, music, and a gun salute.

Sunday, May 29
10:30 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery

New Bedford Post 1, The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day Exercise at the Veterans’ plot in Pine Grove Cemetery, 1100 Ashley Boulevard.

12 p.m. at New Bedford City Hall

New Bedford Post 1, The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day Exercise at the Vietnam Veterans’ Honor Roll at New Bedford City Hall (133 William Street) on the William Street side of the building.

Monday, May 30 (Memorial Day)
8:15 a.m. at Rural Cemetery

New Bedford Post 1, The American Legion will conduct a Memorial Day Exercise at the Veterans’ Plot in Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth Street.

10 a.m. at Pier 3

The New Bedford Port Society’s Annual Memorial Day Fishermen’s Service, Pier 3, New Bedford Waterfront.

11:30 a.m. City of New Bedford Memorial Day Parade

This year’s parade is put on by the City of New Bedford, the City’s Veterans’ Services Department, New Bedford City Council and the New Bedford Veterans’ Advisory Board.

The parade will form at the intersection of Hathaway Blvd. and Parker Street beginning around 10:30 a.m., and stepping off at 11:30 a.m.

The parade will march east on Parker Street to County Street. The parade will then turn left and head North on County Street. The parade will then turn right to head east on Pope Street, where it will take its final right turn into Clasky Common Park.

There will be a Memorial Day service held at the reviewing stand at the conclusion of the parade and we encourage all participants to stay and take part in the service. This year’s service will include the reading of the Gettysburg Address, Logan’s Orders and roll call of New Bedford’s Veterans who have passed away. We invite family and friends of Veterans who have passed away to bring a flower to the service and place it at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in remembrance.