Wareham Veterans Day Parade

10/10/2026

KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED
The Wareham Veterans Day Parade Committee would like to introduce this year's Keynote Speaker at the Ceremony in Centre Park following the Parade.

Captain Clinton J. Prindle manages Coast Guard missions across eight states in the Northeast including over 2,000 miles of coastline from northern New Jersey to the U.S.-Canadian border.

He attended the U. S. Coast Guard Academy where he graduated with a B. S. in Marine and Environmental Sciences in 1998. He earned his Master’s Degree in Strategic Intelligence and Terrorism Studies from American Military University in 2007. He is a 2016 graduate of the U. S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College.
Captain Prindle previously served on the Coast Guard Northeast District staff as the Law Enforcement Branch Chief, where he led law enforcement and security operations. He is a certified law enforcement boarding officer with over 300 safely executed boardings. He also has considerable Search and Rescue experience, having coordinated rescue efforts for over 3,000 mariners in distress.
The Parade starts at 10 am at Besse Park on November 11th and ends at Centre Park. The Ceremony will take place after the Parade. Please plan to attend this moving tribute to our Veterans!

10/07/2026

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS MONUMENT--CENTRE PARK
This monument, located on the green in front of the First Congregational Church, was erected in 1904. It honors Wareham's "Loyal Sons" who served in the French and Indian Wars, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. The monument is flanked by two Civil War cannons.
On Veterans Day, there will be a Ceremony following the Parade at Centre Park, Honoring Our Veterans, 1776-2026.
The Parade begins Nov. 11 on Main Street at 10 am at Besse Park and travels down Main Street to Centre Park. We hope to see you there!

10/02/2026

We are thankful for the support of the Dudley L. Brown VFW members who have played a major role in the Veterans Day Parade each year. This past week they held a fundraiser with a delicious meal of baked chicken, and we just received a check for $500 as a result! Each year they create a spectacular float and the Ladies Auxiliary serves Veterans at their free luncheon following the Parade and Ceremony. We can't wait to see this year's float! THANK YOU VFW!!

10/01/2026

THANK YOU WAREHAM-NEW BEDFORD LODGE OF ELKS #73!
Colonel Matthew Stanton of the Veterans Day Parade Committee joins JROTC Cadets Aaron Legg and Emily Morais as they accept a very generous donation in support this year’s Parade. Elks members Guy DiAntonio and Jim Callan presented the $2,500 check to the Cadets who will be marching in the Parade on November 11th at 10 am on Main Street.

09/29/2026

The VFW is the place to be on Wednesday! It’s holding a fundraiser for the Veterans Day Parade on November 11. Join us!

09/22/2026

https://wareham.theweektoday.com/article/grand-marshal-chosen-veterans-day-parade/159540

The Wareham Veterans Day Parade Committee has chosen the 2026 Grand Marshal for its upcoming parade. Robert Edward Sylvia joined the United States Marine Corps in 1969. After completing boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1969-1970 as a Lance Corporal...

09/19/2026

MUSTER FIELD RECOGNITION DAY!
The plaque is back! Thanks to the Wareham Minutemen and Militia Companies, the plaque honoring Wareham's Revolutionary War Patriots that assembled on the muster field to drill in preparation of war has been returned. Colonel Matthew Stanton unveiled the plaque. The Militia performed a musket volley, and Taps was played by trumpeter Chris Berg.
Visitors enjoyed learning about colonial life and were entertained by a period fife and drum corps. Several speakers attended including Wareham Town Administrator, Derek Sullivan, Congressman William Keating, and Senator Kelly Dooner. Lt. Howard Smith gave a brief history of Wareham's most notable patriots, and Capt. Malcolm Phinney gave a history of the Muster Field. The Wareham High School JROTC presented the Colors and Steve Ruiz sang the National Anthem.
A special thank you to the Wareham Minutemen and Militia Companies for organizing this event and for bringing a bit of Wareham's history back to Town.

09/19/2026

JOIN US AT EL MARIACHI RESTAURANT TO HELP SUPPORT THE VETERANS DAY PARADE!

09/18/2026

DON'T MISS THIS EVENT ON SATURDAY!
While the history of Wareham’s earliest militia can be traced back to the Town’s original settlement as part of Plymouth and Rochester before its official incorporation in 1739, it was during the Revolutionary War period that Wareham’s Minutemen and Militia companies truly made history.

During this time, the historic mustering field was established at what is now known as the Decas School sports fields. The men gathered at Fearing Tavern on Elm Street and marched down to the mustering field to perform practice drills from 1775 to 1783.
Local soldiers, such as Lieutenant Josiah Smith, Captain Noah Fearing, and Major Israel Fearing served from Wareham during the War for Independence. Consequently, members of Wareham’s original Minutemen and Militia became the Town’s first Veterans.

In 1974, to celebrate the country’s Bicentennial, the Wareham Minutemen and Militia Companies were officially reactivated. Today, this group dresses in historically accurate clothing, fires muskets, and demonstrates colonial life. Members participate in educational programs, historical reenactments including the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, parades, encampments and ceremonies.

Recently, the Minutemen and Militia became determined to solve a mystery of the missing bronze plaque that had been placed on a large rock in 1975 at the mustering field to honor those who fought for Wareham 250 years ago. According to an old newspaper clipping, the plaque was installed at a ceremony attended by Militia in military garb along with Major John Fearing and Select Board member, Charles N. Decas. The plaque has been missing for more than 15 years, and no one can figure out what happened to it.
Considering the country is celebrating its 250th anniversary, today’s Minutemen and Militia decided it was time to replace the missing plaque. Led by Howie Smith, the group ascertained a grant from the Wareham Community Events Grant program to purchase a replacement.
On September 19th, a Revolutionary War Muster Field Recognition Day will take place at the Former Decas School Field on Main Street from 10 am to 4 pm.
The event is open to the public where visitors can observe a militia encampment with demonstrations of colonial life. A period fife and drum corps will perform. And at 1:00 pm, the ceremony for the installation of the new bronze plaque will take place.

09/11/2026

9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony
This morning, the students of Wareham High School assembled on the softball field to remember 9/11. Organized by Lt. Col. (ret.) Matthew Stanton, the students listened to a brief history of September 11, 2001, had a moment of silence, and heard taps played followed by a rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.
Wareham Select Board member Judith Whiteside joined teachers, staff, Principal Palladino and Superintendent Amy Hartley-Matteson for the solemn ceremony.