The South Kingstown Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by South Kingstown VFW – Washington County Post 916, will be conducted on Monday, May 31, 2021 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The Parade Committee is extremely pleased to bestow the honor of 2021 Parade Grand Marshal on South Kingstown residents, Tony DiMichele and Harry Schleicher. Mr. DiMichele, 96 years of age, served as Private First Class in the United States Army 83rd Division and fought in the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. Mr. Schleicher served as a training pilot in the United States Air Force.
The parade will kick off on Holly Street, then turn south onto Main Street, and will conclude on High Street at Saugatucket Park. It will feature active and retired military men and women, Town leaders, community organizations, and public safety agencies. There will be no marching bands participating this year due to the absence of band programs in the schools because of Covid-19. In lieu of marching bands, the Parade Committee is encouraging Main Street shops to contribute to the parade by playing patriotic music outside storefronts to greet the veterans, active military, and community members as they march through town to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Following the parade, a brief memorial ceremony will be conducted at Saugatucket Park on High Street beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m. Colonel William Babcock, US Army Retired, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The Bishop Wallace Hazard of the Community Church of God, will offer the invocation and benediction. The Honorable Senator Jack Reed will provide opening remarks; Major Caleb Singer, RI Army National Guard, will provide the keynote address. The speaking ceremony will be followed by a wreath laying at Veterans Monument, with taps performed by South Kingstown High School musicians, Zach Siemmao and Andrew Menard.
The community is invited to attend the parade and ceremony. For public viewing purposes, there will be no parking on Main Street from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Following the memorial ceremony, the public is invited to the Elks Lodge 1899, 60 Belmont Street, Wakefield, for refreshments.
All weather related questions on the day of the parade should be directed to the Neighborhood Guild after 8:00 a.m. at 401-789-9301; or visit the town of South Kingstown website at www.southkingstownri.com. In the event the parade is cancelled due to weather, the Memorial Ceremony will take place at the South Kingstown Recreation Center, 30 St. Dominic Road, at 11am.