Event Details
The schedule for Memorial Day in Sudbury is at sudbury.ma.us/memorialday/2026/05/08/memorialdayparade2026/.
Sudbury’s Memorial Day Parade and Program take place on May 25. Come, view the parade or march with us as we visit Sudbury’s War Memorials. Honor an outstanding Sudbury citizen serving as Parade Marshal. Hear the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companie play and the Sudbury Companies of Militia and Minute fire musket salutes.
The Parade and Ceremonies honor veterans of all wars involving Sudbury residents, from King Philip’s War of 1676 through the 21st Century. During these Memorial Day events, we especially remember men and women who lost their lives in service of their country. The observance is planned by the Town’s Memorial Day Committee. New members are welcome to join to help plan the 2027 event.For information, see https://sudbury.ma.us/memorialday/ .
The 2026 Parade Marshall is a longtime Sudbury resident, Mr. Ken Hiltz. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy through the Delayed Entry Program in 1979, before graduating from Lincoln Sudbury High School in 1980. While in high school, he distinguished himself as captain of both the football and lacrosse teams. During his Naval Service, Mr. Hiltz was assigned to sea duty on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), where he was aboard in March, 1984, during a significant incident involving contact with a Soviet submarine off the coast of Korea. He served until his honorable discharge in 1984 at the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. His awards and decorations include the Navy Expeditionary Medal, Navy Humanitarian medal with cluster, Navy Battle “E” Ribbon (Second Award), and the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two clusters.
All veterans are invited to join in the line of march at Rugged Bear Plaza. Uniforms are not required. Civilian clothes that respect the dignity of the occasion (dark slacks, white dress shirt, and hat that identifies your branch of service or veterans’ organization are appropriate). Transportation will be provided for those who wish to participate but feel they are unable to march.
During the program at Grinnell Park, the Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companie will perform musical selections followed by musket salutes. Leah Larson, a Lincoln-Sudbury High School student, and Hannah Fidler, a Curtis Middle School student, will sing the National Anthem. The Thursday Garden Club will dedicate a new pollinator garden. Parade Marshall, Ken Hiltz, will be recognized and deliver remarks. Girl Scouts will sing “My Country ‘tis of Thee”, and The United Native American Council will perform a ceremony of peace. The Council has performed this ceremony for over 30 years during the Sudbury Memorial Day program. Finally, the names of Sudbury veterans who have passed since last Memorial Day are read aloud. Taps will be played by U.S. Navy Captain (Retired) Paul Mawn.
After the program activities begin at Heritage Park. The Sudbury History Center and the Hosmer House will be open for visitors. .Both locations have displays and shops related to Sudbury’s history. The Hosmer House parlor will have a display recognizing Town employees, committee members, and school staff who passed away in 2025
The schedule for Memorial Day in Sudbury is at https://sudbury.ma.us/memorialday/2026/05/08/memorialdayparade2026/.