Memorial Day Parade officials urge elderly veterans to march, or ride, with them

A recent Rochester Memorial Day Parade proceeds from the Cocheco River bridge headed south toward the Common. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - The organizer of this year's Memorial Day Parade is urging local veterans to join in to honor fellow serviceman and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The Rochester Veterans Council will host the Memorial Day parade on May 26.
"We would like to extend an invitation to all local veterans to join us in recognizing those who gave their lives in service to our great nation," said Parade Director Carlton Cooper.
Cooper added that there will be special accommodations for veterans who are getting on, so they can participate in the parade.
"There are a couple of six-person golf carts that we have for our less mobile veterans as well as a number of vintage military vehicles they can ride in," he added.
The parade will step off at Holy Rosary Church on North Main Street at 10:30 a.m. sharp beginning with a cannon shot. The parade will make its way to the Arched Bridge over the Cocheco River, where there will be a short ceremony to conduct a Wreath Memorial Service to honor servicemen and women who were lost at sea..
The service at the bridge will include a rendition of "Taps" performed by the Spaulding High School Band and rifle volley by the 18th Dover, 2nd NH Regiment, Revolutionary War re-enactors.

Once the bridge ceremony is over, the parade will proceed down North Main Street through downtown onto South Main Street concluding at the Rochester Commons in time for ceremonies at the Flags of Honor.
"We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country," Mayor Paul Callaghan said in 2023. "We can never fully repay that debt to their families and loved ones, but we must honor their sacrifice with a day of recognition."
Along the parade route, there will be rolling road closures. Organizers urge motorists to stay alert to Rochester Police and parade attendant directions.
Anyone with questions can call Cooper at: (617) 947-6722. or email rochestermemorialdayparade@gmail.com