Hollis to hold Memorial Day ceremony

To the Editor:

Attention, all Hollis residents, businesses, groups, organizations, schools and clubs.

The Hollis Memorial Day ceremony is an evening ceremony at the Hollis Town Common. All participants and attendees should assemble at 5 p.m. at the Town Common. A "Color Guard" will march from Memorial Park to the Town Common at 5:30 p.m., kicking off the event for the day.

At the Town Common, all attendees will witness a solemn ceremony in commemoration of our fallen military, the announcement of winning essays by local students, a ceremony for lowering the flag and firing of rifles as a salute to the fallen, as well as chosen words from a guest speaker(s).

Please do not wait for a special invitation, as everyone is invited to participate and attend.

If we cancel (by or before 4 p.m.) due to inclement weather, the ceremony will be at the Lawrence Barn Community Center on Depot Road starting at 5:30 p.m. Check with the Hollis Communications Center for any changed plans due to weather.

To all participants:

The Hollis Board of Selectmen in coordination with the Hollis Memorial Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is organizing the annual Memorial Day ceremony on the Hollis Town Common. All town groups are invited to participate (Scouts, clubs, associations, etc.).

This letter should serve as an invitation and news release for all concerned, as there will be no individual invitations to participate. The Board of Selectmen and the Veterans of Foreign Wars expect that, annually, the following groups will participate without need for formal invitations: Boy and Girl Scouts, all town departments (fire, police, rescue, highway, etc.), town band, veterans, social and community clubs (garden, historic, women’s, Rotary, seniors, etc.), school groups (band, choral groups, Interact, etc.). It is the intention that everyone be invited to participate without exclusion to anyone. If you live, work, study or play in Hollis, you are invited to participate in the Memorial Day ceremonies.

Here is a proposed schedule depicting this year’s observance of Memorial Day in Hollis. If you or your group should need to make any special arrangements, kindly inform the Hollis Memorial Day coordinator, Jim Belanger, at home (465-2301).

The Veterans of Foreign Wars will take responsibility for providing U.S. flags at all the cemeteries, wreaths and flowers for the monuments. VFW will also arrange for firing of volleys and color guard, as well as providing a guest speaker and ceremony appropriate to the event. The town will provide a sound system and appropriate setup and parking for the Town Common. All attendees are urged to respect the event and ceremony for what it is and instruct small children in proper etiquette and respect for those who are being remembered.

The Hollis-Brookline Rotary should be assisting in decorating the cemeteries, but others are welcome to help. Please contact Jim Belanger at 465-2301. This activity takes about two hours and starts with an assembly at Brookdale Fruit Farm on Broad Street at 9 a.m. on the Saturday before Memorial Day.

Order of Service

5:15 p.m.: Assemble the Color Guard – Memorial Park, Broad St.

MC invites all veterans present to assemble at Memorial Park with the VFW.

5:30 p.m.: VFW Chaplain reads POW-MIA Prayer from podium on Town Common.

5:32 p.m.: Setting of Wreaths by DAR – Scouts Memorial Park (Under direction of VFW Post Commander).

5:35 p.m.: Assembly (Post marches to Town Common); Town Band plays marching music.

Welcome Remarks by Hollis Selectman.

Opening Remarks, Thank Supporters by VFW Post MC.

National Anthem by Hollis Town Band.

Invocation by the Rev. Tanya Rasmussen.

"The Light Eternal" by Hollis Town Band.

Guest speaker from Veterans Count.

6 p.m.: Announce VOD, DAR & VFW Essay M.C. & DAR representative contest winners.

Armed Forces Salute by Hollis Town Band.

6:15 p.m.: Historical Narrative.

6:30 p.m.: Firing of Volleys by Hollis VFW.

Taps by Hollis Town Band.

Retreat Ceremony by Hollis Town Band.

Benediction by the Rev. Tanya Rasmussen.

6:45 p.m.: Thanks and Closing Remarks by Hollis Selectman.

Two closing musical selections by Hollis Town Band.

Order of Service for inclement weather.

Assembly at Hollis’ Lawrence Barn Community Center.

5:30 p.m.: Presentation of colors by VFW.

Welcome by Hollis Selectman.

Opening Remarks; Thank Supporters by VFW MC.

National Anthem by Hollis Town Band.

Invocation by the Rev, Tanya Rasmussen.

Prayer for MIA/POW by VFW Chaplain.

"The Light Eternal" by Hollis Town Band.

Guest Speaker from Veterans Count.

5:45: Announce VOD, DAR & VFW Essay Contest winners, by M.C. & DAR representative.

Armed Forces Salute by Hollis Town Band.

Placing of Wreaths by DARand Scouts.

Historical Narrative by Hollis VFW.

6 p.m.: Taps by Hollis Town Band.

Retreat Ceremony, Hollis Town Band.

Benediction by the Rev. Tanya Rasmussen.

Thanks and Closing Remarks by Hollis Selectmen.

6:15: Two closing musical selections by Hollis Town Band.

Jim Belanger

Coordinator

Hollis Memorial Day