Home of the free, because of the brave.

Photo: Dr. Barbara Roberts

Recognizing Memorial Day in 2021, with having newly announced COVID-19 regulations, but with rain and frigid temperatures leaves some events up for cancellation, so double check before heading out. Here are some scheduled events:

Parades:

Bristol parade begins at Colt State Park at 9am.

Cumberland parade begins at Town Hall at 9am.

Charlestown parade starts at Richmond-Carolina Fire station, 9 a.m.

East Providence parade begins at Looff Carousel at 9am.

East Greenwich parade starts at Academy Field (rain, indoors at Swift Community Center) at 10am

North Smithfield parade, Slatersville Plaza at 10:30 a.m

South Kingstown parade, Saugatucket Park, 11am

Ceremonies:

West Warwick, Veterans Memorial Park, 9:30 a.m.

Pawtucket City Hall at 10am

North Kingstown Town Hall, 10am

Woonsocket, Armed Forces Park, 10:30am

Scituate, American Legion Post 19, at the Old Congregational Church, 10:30 a.m.

Fall River, Battleship Cove, noon

Lincoln has postponed parade, but will hold a breakfast at the Senior Center for veterans and members of the Honor Guard, made up of Lincoln first responders, 8-9am.

Boots on the Ground, Operation Stand Down, Fort Adams, Newport, 10am to 6 pm.

RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter, Ceremonies at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Poppy

It is tradition to wear the symbolic red flower on Memorial Day—the last Monday in May—to commemorate the sacrifice of so many men and women who have given their lives fighting for their country. Our red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. The origin of the red poppy as a modern-day symbol of Memorial Day was the idea of an American woman, Moina Michael. It was on a Saturday morning, November 9, 1918, two days before the World War I Armistice was declared at 11 o’clock on November 11.

Due to the pandemic, most communities will not be distributing red poppies. They are traditionally distributed by American Legions. Some events are still happening – such as in Westerly, RI.

Make a Poppy – here are directions on making a poppy to wear with young children: