FALL RIVER -- The city’s traditional Memorial Day ceremonies will take a different course this year to honor the country’s fallen soldiers on May 25, in order to adjust to the nation’s new normal due to the COVID-19 emergency that prohibits the gathering of crowds.
Rather than people coming to the annual parade along South Main Street, the Memorial Day Rolling Tribute Parade will come to the people this year.
Veterans and veteran groups, military personnel and first responders and any others who wish to participate may join in the special parade that will travel around the city in honor of our fallen heroes.
“You’ve got to do something. They didn’t give up so we’re not going to give up,” said Bill Desmarais, the senior vice commander of the Fall River War Veterans’ Council and the commanding officer of the Memorial Day Parade Committee.
The traditional Memorial Day Parade kick-off will not be held at Kennedy Park Veterans’ Memorial as it has for years, nor will there be a closing ceremony along South Main Street in the Atrium at One Government Center.
“The Parks Department in the city does not want a meeting at Kennedy Park, so we’re going to gather at Riggenbach Road and Wilson Road in the Industrial Park,” said Desmarais. “It’s a couple miles long, so we can line everyone up and not be worried about being too close to each other.”
Desmarais said the special parade will begin with the first division consisting of military personnel. The second division will be first responders, followed by other participants.
The Fall River Police Department will lead off the parade along with motorcycle veterans groups.
Desmarais said participants can start meeting at the Industrial Park site at 11:30 a.m. and that the rolling parade will kick-off at 2 p.m.
All participants in the Rolling Memorial Day Tribute Parade will follow required health safety protocols, wearing gloves, masks and social distance space, said Desmarais.
The procession route will begin by heading south on South Main Street to Miller Monument, proceeding to Globe Street, Plymouth Avenue, Mariano Bishop Boulevard, Pleasant Street, Quequechan Street, Brayton Avenue, Eastern Avenue, New Boston Road, Robeson, President Avenue and North Main Street and ending the Gates of the City near Battleship Cove where there will be a closing ceremony.
Parade Marshall is Commander of the Greater Fall River Veterans’ Council Robert Viner and the Gold Star Families.
Desmarais said anyone wishing to participate in the Memorial Day Rolling Tribute Parade can contact him at 508-951-6847.
Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com.