Massachusetts proudly supports and honors military members who have died fighting for our country. Memorial Day — May 29, 2017 — offers residents an opportunity to remember fallen heroes. The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) and the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) share information on Memorial Day events from Boston to the Berkshires.

Parades in Massachusetts

There are more than 40 Memorial Day parades scheduled in cities and towns across the state. Check with your municipality or the parade sponsor in your area for start times and routes.

Ceremonies at Veterans’ Cemeteries

Many state veterans’ cemeteries and other resting places for military members in Massachusetts host annual Memorial Day ceremonies.

• Winchendon Cemetery — A 45-minute ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.
• Agawam Cemetery — The event at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, where thousands of veterans have been laid to rest, lasts about 45 minutes and starts at 1 p.m.
• Massachusetts National Cemetery — Operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Massachusetts National Cemetery is located in Bourne. The Avenue of Flags lines the entrance and displays flags donated by the families of veterans buried there. A remembrance will take place on May 28 at 1 p.m. Notable gravesites include those of Medal of Honor recipients and an unknown United States soldier.

If you’d like to pay your respects to those who have served in your community, you can find burial site information for veterans using the VA’s nationwide gravesite locator.

Free Events for Veterans and Service Members

If you serve our country or want to do something special with a veteran or active duty military member, consider a free event during Memorial Day weekend.

• Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Preservation Month— Get involved in DCR‘s Preservation Month 2017 in May, which celebrates historic sites in Massachusetts. Around Memorial Day, you can take tours and learn about military monuments and structures, including the Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower at Mount Greylock State Reservation, Lawrence’s North Common at Lawrence Heritage State Park, and the Ames Mansion at Borderland State Park. Most programs and events are free, but there may be parking fees.
• Battleship Cove— Active duty and retired military members get free admission to Battleship Cove on Memorial Day weekend. A 21-gun salute and flag-raising ceremony will take place at 12 p.m. on Memorial Day, and is open to the public.
• Blue Star Museums— More than 85 Massachusetts museums collaborate with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and Blue Star Families (BSF) as part of this project. Active-duty military personnel and their families get free admission to participating museums between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
• Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)— Admission is free for everyone from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the MFA’s Memorial Day Open House in Boston.
• National Parks and Historic Sites— The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for U.S. military covers entrance and amenity fees at sites managed by the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM),  Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Military members can get a pass with a valid military I.D. at certain federal recreation sites in Massachusetts. Check with each location before you visit to make sure the pass is accepted. Some sites of interest for history buffs include Minute Man National Historical Park, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, and the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail.

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