Memorial Day Schedule In Belmont

The mother of the former Belmont resident killed in Afghanistan is scheduled to participate in the laying of a memorial wreath today at the town's Memorial Day observances.

The day's events will begin with a contingent of veterans decorating the seven memorials in town beginning at 8 a.m.

The annual parade will leave the municipal parking lot in Cushing Square at 11 a.m. and arrive at Belmont Cemetery on Grove Street at approximately 11:45 p.m. 

The route will take veterans and marchers down Trapelo Road, and Belmont Street before turning onto Grove Street.

Parade participants will include the color guard from the USS Constitution and the Belmont and departments.

The parade will include local elected officials who will march with active duty members of the armed forces and veterans – who will either walk or be driven along the route – the marching bands from Belmont High School and the , Boy and Girl Scouts along with a number of large trucks and heavy equipment vehicles with school children aboard.

The participants will stop at the  for a service led this year by Rabbi Jonathan Kraus of the Beth El Temple Center honoring those from Belmont who died defending the country including a reading of their names.

The day's guest speaker will be Commander Timothy Cooper, US Navy, the commanding officer of the USS Constitution. 

Pamela Curtis, the mother of Belmont-native Spc. Jonathan Curtis who was killed in Afghanistan last November, will participate in the laying of a wreath honoring all those who gave their lives in defense of the country.

After the ceremony, the parade will continue along Grove Street onto Bright Road before heading on Concord Avenue and finishing at .

All veterans will be treated to lunch at the High School at the conclusion of the day's events.