Photos from the community: Memorial Day in Billerica
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As the rain that had drenched Memorial Day weekend started to ease the morning of Monday, May 31, Billerica residents and officials alike breathed a sigh of relief as they prepared to step off and take part in the first, unmasked, in-person community parade of the year.
Billerica Veterans Director Joe Ruggiero said while the remembrance events scheduled in the days prior to Memorial Day were wet and wild, the turnout was large when it came to community volunteers.
He said it was a great way to jump back into town events after a year on pause due to the pandemic.
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While they may have served their country more than 60 years apart, the bond that holds Billerica resident and Memorial Day Grand Marshall George Eversman, 84, and Tewksbury resident and parade sargeant at Arms Jonathan Tammaro, 29, together is the pride in serving their country.
The pair were chosen to lead the 2021 Memorial Day Parade by Billerica Veterans Director Joe Ruggiero s office and the members of the local Disabled American Veterans (DAV.)
This year s parade will be held on Monday, May 31, and will step off from Marshall Middle School, 15 Floyd St., at 10 a.m.
Ruggiero said there will be a flag placement ceremony at Fox Hill Cemetary, 130 Andover Road, Billerica prior to the parade at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 29. Residents are instructed to take American flags from boxes that will be located around the cemetery and place them on military gravesites.
The event will be held Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, or residents can clean up on their own at their convenience.
This day is an effort that coincides with the week of Earth Day, which is Thursday, April 22. This effort would not be possible without the support of the Billerica Department of Public Works, Waste Management Company, the town of Billerica, Billerica Recreation, and of course the volunteers with Beautify Billerica, Leach said.
Leach said was excited to see the cleanup effort extend over the week with area companies TechnaAmerica NE and Cabot Corp. working on similar efforts.
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After nearly 13 inches of snow, Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Abdul Alkhatib said clean up after the first storm of the season went better than anticipated.
Speaking with Alkhatib on Friday, Dec. 18, he said the cold temperatures kept the snow fluffy and manageable for plow drivers.
Currently, the DPW has 27 town-owned plows and sanders on the road, and 91 private plow driver contracted through the department. We typically average in the 90s, said Alkhatib, adding the town did a call out earlier in the month looking for more drivers this season and is still open to those looking to help on the road.