News Summary
North Providence will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade on May 26, 2025, at 1 p.m., honoring veterans and their sacrifices. Residents are invited to participate in this important event, which includes a wreath-laying ceremony at Camp Meehan/Notte Park. Grand marshal Gile Arruda Jr., a Vietnam veteran, will lead the parade, which aims to remember local veterans who have passed. Street closures will commence for public safety, and alternative plans are in place for inclement weather.
North Providence will commemorate Memorial Day with a parade on Monday, May 26, 2025, at 1 p.m., honoring veterans and their sacrifices. Residents are encouraged to join in the festivities, which will also include a ceremonial wreath-laying at Camp Meehan/Notte Park following the parade.
Participants in the parade are advised to assemble at the North Providence High School parking lot by noon, with parking available for those taking part. The parade will begin at the high school and proceed to Camp Meehan/Notte Park. Those interested in participating should note that the parade lineup entrance is located on Smithfield Road at the rear of the high school.
To ensure public safety during the event, street closures will take place along Mineral Spring Avenue and Douglas Avenue starting at 12:45 p.m., 15 minutes before the parade kicks off. Residents in the area should prepare for traffic disruption as the community celebrates their local veterans.
This year, the grand marshal of the parade will be Gile Arruda Jr., a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. Arruda has a history of community involvement and advocacy for veterans, adding a significant personal touch to this year’s event.
The parade committee is also focusing on remembering North Providence residents who have served in the military and have since passed away. Community members are encouraged to submit names for honorific displays to be featured along the parade route. Names of deceased veterans must be submitted to the Recreation Department by Friday, May 16, either via email or phone, to be included in the displays.
In addition to the parade and wreath-laying ceremony, Vietnam veterans are invited to participate in the event, creating an opportunity for remembrance of their fallen comrades and a gathering of shared experiences. Such involvement aims to foster camaraderie among veterans and enhance community support for those who have served in the military.
In case of inclement weather, organizers have prepared an alternative plan. The wreath-laying ceremony will be moved indoors to the Overlook at Meehan at 2 p.m., allowing participants to still honor the memory of those who have served, regardless of the conditions outside.
The North Providence Memorial Day Parade represents a long-standing tradition of honoring military service members and their sacrifices, fostering a sense of community and gratitude amongst residents. It serves as a reminder of the bravery displayed by those who have defended the nation, while also encouraging community engagement and support for local veterans.
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Additional Resources
- Valley Breeze: Vietnam Veteran Arruda Serves as Grand Marshal for Memorial Day Parade
- Providence Journal: Veterans Day Parades and Ceremonies in RI
- WPRI: Memorial Day Parades and Events 2024
- Rhode Island Current: Voice of Democracy Essay Winner to Deliver Memorial Day Keynote
- Providence Journal: RI Memorial Day Events 2024
- Wikipedia: Memorial Day
- Google Search: Memorial Day History
- Google Scholar: Memorial Day Ceremony
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Memorial Day
- Google News: Memorial Day Events
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
