Wareham residents came together on Monday, May 27 to honor those who have given their lives in service of their country, in Memorial Day ceremonies that took place at several cemeteries and monuments across town. 

“Today, no other day… during the year, we take the time to reflect on the time that they spent in service knowing that they were putting themselves in harm’s way, and they succumbed to battle,” said retired Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Stanton, who teaches at Wareham High School. 

Memorial Day ceremonies started at the Dudley L. Brown Square Memorial, then moved to Agawam Cemetery, St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Centre Cemetery and the Centre Park Memorial before finishing at the Town Hall Memorial. 

Members of the Dudley L. Brown Veterans of Foreign Wars led the ceremonies. Chaplain Erwin Russell gave the Invocation, followed by the laying of the wreath by Julio Roderick. VFW Commander Ben Baptiste led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Christopher Berg played taps for the ceremony. 

Members of the Wareham Minutemen and Militia Companies fired three volleys into the air. Their presence at the ceremony made “sure we don’t forget how difficult it was to be a soldier back then,” said Stanton. 

Members of the Wareham High School Junior Reserve Army Training Corps bore flags and their own ceremonial arms. “They are trying to fulfill the legacy that has been left before them,” Stanton said.