Happy Memorial Day to everyone and especially our troops present and past for everything they have done. Enjoy the parade and have a safe, happy Memorial Day weekend from the Publishers and staff at The Somerville  News. Ceremonies to Honor Veterans, Residents Serving Overseas; Parade Steps Off from City Hall Concourse at 1:00 p.m.

The 2010 Memorial Day Ceremonies and annual parade are set for Sunday, May 30th, beginning at 8 a.m. Sponsored by the Somerville Veterans Services Department, the Somerville Allied Veterans' Council, and the City of Somerville, the ceremonies will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the American Legion Post #19, 124 Highland Ave., with a short procession down Highland Ave. to the Central Library, placing wreaths on monuments along Central Hill Park. The annual parade will step off from the City Hall/Somerville High School concourse at 1:00 p.m., and will continue the 2.3 miles down Highland Ave. to the Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Teele Square.

"As we once again finalize plans for our annual Memorial Day Parade, it's important to remember that this is not merely a community celebration, but a way to remember and honor the sacrifices of past and present soldiers who serve and protect this country," Mayor Curtatone said. "I am proud that the City is able to once again host one of the region's largest parades, with the generous support of the Somerville community, and I look forward to honoring our veterans with the entire community on May 30th."

"Thank you to all of the residents and community members who attended this year's fundraiser, and contributed to make the 2010 parade bigger and better than ever," said Somerville Veterans Services Director Frank Senesi. "Somerville has one of the best parades in the metro area, and we're glad to be able to continue to host it, and to honor our veterans as we celebrate our nation's history."

The parade will include 20 marching bands, along with a wide range of community and school groups, specialty unit from the Aleppo Shriners, and local veterans', fire, and police outfits from surrounding cities and towns. Beginning at Somerville High School, the parade will continue along Highland Avenue, through Davis Square to Holland Street, and onto Broadway ending at the Cemetery in Teele Square. Ceremonies will be held rain or shine.

The 2010 Parade Grand Marshal is World War II veteran, John W. Mattuchio. Mr. Mattuchio was born in Everett, MA in 1919, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 as a Somerville resident. He was a First Sergeant with the Battery A 861st Field Artillery Battalion, and served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. Mr. Mattucho has been awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, European African Middle Easter Theater Campaign Ribbon with Bronze Service Arrowhead, WWII Victory Medal, Germany Clasp Army Occupation Medal, WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button with Bronze Arrowhead, the Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerri with Palm. He was honorable discharged in 1945.

To accommodate the parade, the following streets will have parking restrictions from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and street closures beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Highland Ave. (Walnut St. to School St.)

Prescott St. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)

Putnam St. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)

Vinal Ave. (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)

School St. (Medford St. to Highland Ave.)

Walnut St. (Medford St. to Highland Ave.)

College Ave. (Morrison Ave. to Davis Sq.)

North St. (Powderhouse Blvd. to Broadway)

Alewife Brook Parkway (to Dilboy)

Beginning at 11 a.m., there will also be no parking on either side of the following streets (and in front of the Somerville Veterans Cemetery from North St. to Route 16). These restrictions will be lifted immediately following the parade:

Highland Ave. (Walnut St. to Davis Sq.)

Holland St. (Davis Sq to Teele Sq.)

Broadway (Holland St. to Route 16)

Dilboy Field

Little Sisters of the Poor – 186 Highland Ave.

Please note that bus routes to and from Clarendon Hill will not be running from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Veterans' Services at 617-625-6600 ext 4700.