New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Organizers of New Bedford’s Veterans Day Parade today announced that more than one dozen veterans’ organizations and six different bands will honor New Bedford area veterans’ service and sacrifices by marching in the New Bedford Veterans Day Parade this Friday morning. Participating bands include the award-winning New Bedford High School Whaling Marching Band, Dartmouth Middle and High School Bands, Banda Filarmónica de Senhor da Pedra, Bay State Band and the Highland Pipe Band. Parade organizers extended an invitation to all New Bedford area residents to demonstrate their support and appreciation for local veterans by attending 2016 New Bedford Veterans Day Parade.
City Veteran’s Agent, Chris Gomes said the organizers are also extending an open invitation to all area veterans to join in and march in the New Bedford parade, whether they are a post member or not. “The American Legion Post 1, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 499 and the Freetown V.F.W. welcome all veterans to march with their organization. We would rather have these veterans join us in the parade than feel as though they must watch from the sidelines,” said Gomes. Several local classic car owners have volunteered to assist those veterans who may otherwise be unable to participate in the parade.
On Friday morning, parade participants will gather at the intersection of Rockdale Avenue and Union Street (Buttonwood Park) at approximately 10:30 A.M. and the parade will step off at 11:00 A.M. sharp. It will march East on Union Street to Pleasant Street, then turn left onto Pleasant Street to the reviewing stand located in front of the New Bedford Main Library.
At the conclusion of the parade at the reviewing stand on Pleasant Street, a Veterans’ Day Service will be held. Everyone is encouraged to attend and seating will be reserved near the reviewing stand for seniors and disabled veterans. Dean Lawrence, a New Bedford police officer and retired United States Army veteran will serve as the Grand Marshall of the 2016 parade and will deliver the keynote address. Lawrence attained the rank of Sergeant 1st Class and served in both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
