City of Worcester, MA

Dedication Event for New WWII Memorial Will Feature Time Capsule, Parade, Flyover

For Immediate Release: 5/20/2016 2:34 pm

Worcester, MA (May 20, 2016) - We want you! On June 4, the City of Worcester is hosting a celebration in honor of our World War II veterans, and dedicating a new WWII memorial on the Worcester Common.

The WWII memorial dedication and celebration will start with a parade from Union Station, 2 Washington Street, to the Worcester Common, behind City Hall, 455 Main Street. The parade, which will feature the Worcester Kiltie Pipe Band, veterans groups and more, starts at 11:30 AM.

An event at the Common begins at noon with a speaking program and dedication of the new memorial. A time capsule, which will hold letters from WWII veterans collected over the past year and various other mementoes from Worcester's past, will be buried at the site.

There is still time for Worcester-area veterans to submit their letters, and to participate in the event itself. Contact Che Anderson in the City Manager's Office: AndersonC@worcesterma.gov, or (508) 799-1175.

The new memorial was designed by Worcester-based Weston & Sampson Engineering, Inc., which donated their services to the project. The design features 78 new water jets - two large jets for the two main theaters of World War II; six medium-sized jets for the six military branches; and 68 smaller jets for the 678 Worcester residents who died in the war - two granite piers engraved with the names of Worcester residents who were killed or missing in action during WWII and new informational kiosks that highlight Worcester's contribution to the war effort.

All members of the public are encouraged to attend this free celebration. After the speaking program and dedication, the Common will host fun activities, including:

• FLYOVER: A Corsair plane and a Stearman plane provided by the Collings foundation, an educational, non-profit foundation whose purpose is to preserve and exhibit historical artifacts, and to engage people in better understanding American history. They will also be providing a Sherman Tank and an M16 Half Track for photos.
• MUSIC: The Worcester Youth Orchestra and 70 of their talented musicians will perform. Founded in 1947, the Worcester Youth Orchestras have maintained a presence in Central Massachusetts, offering musical training and orchestral experiences for aspiring young musicians. The orchestras' membership draws from over 32 communities in Massachusetts, as well as New Hampshire and Rhode Island. WYO is third oldest youth orchestra in the country and has a long history of masterful performances. Currently under the artistic direction of Jonathan Brennand, they have grown to three orchestras in the past three seasons.
• DANCERS: The Fred Astaire Dance Studio will perform a Jazz dance on the Common. The studio, established in 1972, has been managed, directed and owned by Norm Thibeault since 1984. All lessons are taught by Certified Dance Instructors who undergo rigorous and continuous dance training.
• FREE PHOTOS: Mark Ufland, renowned photographer, will be on-site taking 4x6 photos in front of a green screen - framed and FREE for all in attendance.