05/21/2026
Memorial Day 2026
As a young boy in the 1950’s I recall the Memorial Day parades. Back then they were always held on the 30th day of May no matter what day of the week the 30th fell on. Then in 1968 national legislation determined Memorial Day would be held on the last Monday of May to create a three-day weekend for federal employes. New Hampshire was one of the last states to change and observe the new date in 1971.
Like other young men and women joining the military back in the 1960’s we were proud to join the ranks of veterans from WWII and the Korean war era. As Vietnam veterans (from all branches of service) we were welcomed into the ranks of the American Legion Post 68 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 816. We took our place among them proudly marching in the Memorial Day parade. There were dozens of veterans, a whole battery of proud National guardsmen, high school bands, little league baseball teams, boy and girl scouts, churches, horses, floats, fire trucks and many more. Even politicians.
We would like to have more participation from veterans who may not belong to any particular organization. There will be a special section in the procession for you. Just grab your American Flag (any size) and join with us.
Through the combined efforts of the following organizations who have joined together in the hopes of keeping Memorial Day a special day in the hearts of our communities. They are as follows:
Littleton Elks Lodge 1831
Eagles # 2629
American Legion & Auxiliary #68
Littleton Knights of Columbus # 636
Scout Troop leader, Troop and Pack #209
Littleton Lions
Veterans of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary Post 816
Littleton Police Department
Littleton Fire Department
Littleton EMS
Littleton Water and Light Department
Thank you in advance for your loyal dedication.
Memorial Day weekend begins on Sunday the 24th of May with wreath laying (wreaths supplied by Ed Barry) and a prayer to honor fallen veterans from surrounding towns:
10:30 a.m. Riverglen
11:15 am Lisbon Allan J. Burgess Memorial Bridge
12 pm Littleton Cemetery
1 pm Bethlehem Cemetery Main Street
1:30 pm Maple Street Bethlehem
2 pm Franconia Cemetery
2:30 pm Easton Cemetery
3 pm Sugar Hill Cemetery
On Monday May 25th, the day begins with a breakfast graciously put on by the Littleton Elks Lodge # 1831, located on Route 302 in Littleton. They will be serving from 7:30 to 10:30 am those attending won’t leave hungry.
Those who would like to be in the Littleton main street procession must contact the parade coordinator, Rob Ellingwood at [email protected] or phone 603-991-3553 as soon as possible.
The parade formation will be at the Littleton town garage parking lot behind the Littleton Fire Station.
Line-up begins at 10:30 to 11am and the procession steps off at 11:20 am sharp,
Ceremonies on Veterans Memorial Bridge on Cottage Street in Littleton will begin at noon on Monday,
There will be wreaths placed by scouts at the plaques of fallen veterans, songs will be sung by JoHanna Cote and Bridgett Payette. Pastor Andrew Tyler of the United Methodist church will lead us in prayer and Phil Revera will be our Master of Ceremonies. This year our guest speaker will be Paul Smith a U.S. Army veteran who served in Korea. He has served in the Little Police Department for 35 years and has been our Chief of Police for many loyal years.
Following the ceremonies, parade participants and viewers are invited to a cook-out at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 816, 600 Cottage St., Littleton beginning at 1:30 pm.
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