Reading honors fallen heroes with Memorial Day Parade & ceremonies
Updated on May 27, 2025 to include the videos of the four ceremonies held at each cemetery and additional photos.
(3-4 minute read)
Reading residents gathered under clear blue skies on Monday, May 26, 2025, to observe the town’s annual Memorial Day Parade and remembrance ceremonies honoring those who gave their lives in service to the country. This year’s events carried special significance, marking 250 years since the start of the American Revolution.
The parade departed from the American Legion on Ash Street and traveled up Main Street to Laurel Hill Cemetery for the town’s primary ceremony. Lining the sidewalks of Main Street and Lowell Street, residents of all ages waved flags and paid tribute to local veterans. Laurel Hill Cemetery drew a large crowd for the first ceremony of the day, with smaller but meaningful gatherings held at Forest Glen, Charles Lawn, and Wood End Cemeteries throughout the morning.
The Reading Police Officer Color Guard led the parade, followed by local officials and dignitaries, including Town Manager Matt Kraunelis, Select Board member Karen Rose-Gillis, and State Representative Rich Haggerty. They were joined by the Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) Marching Band, Reading Veterans Services Officer (VSO) Will Valliere, U.S. Navy Veteran Reverend Steven Zukus Christ the Kings Parish, Retired Major General Richard Rowe, U.S. Air Force Veteran Bill Burditt, Reading Girl Scouts, and several local Scout Packs.
At Laurel Hill Cemetery, VSO Valliere led the ceremony. Reverend Steven Zukus offered the invocation, followed by the reading of the Governor’s Proclamation by Representative Brad Jones and General Logan’s Memorial Day General Orders by Representative Haggerty. The RMHS Marching Band played patriotic selections, including “America the Beautiful” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
U.S. Air Force Veteran Jill Mayberry delivered a poignant Roll Call of Honor, reading the names of Reading veterans who passed in the last year. The featured guest speaker, Retired U.S. Army Major General Richard Rowe, reflected on the importance of remembering the sacrifices of service members. The ceremony closed with a solemn rendition of “Taps” by the RMHS trumpet section.
Additional ceremonies at Forest Glen, Charles Lawn, and Wood End Cemeteries were also led by VSO Valliere. Each included an invocation by Reverend Zukus, the Governor’s Proclamation delivered by Second Lieutenant Dylan McClelland, the National Anthem played by the RMHS trumpet section, and a heartfelt Memorial Day address by local author Autumn Hendrickson.
Hendrickson, who has been working for the past five years on a project titled Reading’s Boys, shared stories of World War II veterans with ties to the community. Her ongoing work aims to tell the stories of the men and women from Reading and North Reading who served in World War II. To date, she has collected and preserved the stories of more than 1,000 veterans.
U.S. Air Force Veteran Jill Mayberry again performed the Roll Call of Honor, and each ceremony concluded with “Taps.”
Reading’s Memorial Day events served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by generations of Americans and the continued importance of community remembrance and gratitude.
Watch the full parade and all four ceremonies here on The Reading Observer Youtube page.
