(WPRI) — While Memorial Day is often seen as the unofficial start to summer, the holiday is a time to honor those who lost their lives defending our freedom.

Here are some events that are going to be held around Southern New England to honor our fallen service members:

MONDAY (MEMORIAL DAY)

9 a.m. — The Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial will open to the public at Fort Adams State Park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.

9 a.m. — Barrington will hold a wreath-laying event at Victory Gate at Barrington High School, followed by a 9:30 a.m. parade from the high school to Town Hall for a formal ceremony.

9 a.m. — North Kingstown will have a ceremony kick-off with traditional honors at the Civil War Memorial. A parade will follow the ceremony which will start at 10 a.m. on West Main and end on Tower Hill Road.

9 a.m. — Dartmouth’s parade will step off at the Town Landing on Gulf Road and end at the World War I memorial outside the old police station on Russells Mills Road, where closing ceremonies will take place.

9:30 a.m. — The Bristol Veterans Council will hold its parade starting at the North Burial Ground and head to the War Memorial Garden behind the Burnside Building. The ceremony will end with a wreath-laying.

9:30 a.m. — Westport’s parade will begin with the placing of a wreath, rifle salute, and playing of TAPS at the World War I monument at Town Hall and then proceeds to Beech Grove Cemetery.

10 a.m. — Warwick is holding a ceremony at the World War I monument in front of City Hall. Veterans who attend are asked to wear a hat, shirt or jacket representing their branch of the service.

10 a.m. — Fairhaven’s annual parade will step off at Union and main streets and continue to the Riverside Cemetery for a ceremony.

10 a.m. — The South Kingstown parade will start at Holly Street in Wakefield and end at Saugatucket Park. It will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony, an Honor Guard Gun Salute, and Taps.

10 a.m. — East Greenwich’s parade will start at the Academy Field and wind through the Hill and Harbor District and stop at First Avenue for a brief wreath-laying ceremony, before proceeding to Town Hall for closing ceremonies.

10 a.m. — Fairhaven’s parade will step off at the intersection of Main and Union streets and proceed to Riverside Cemetery. There will then be a ceremony in the cemetery at the Civil War monument.

10:15 a.m. — Rehoboth’s parade will start near the Anawan School and the American Legion on Bay State Road and end at the Veterans’ Memorial Gazebo at Redway Plain. A ceremony will then begin around 11:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m. — Scituate Post 19 will host its Memorial Day parade at Institute Lane at Danielson Pike. All veterans and active-duty military personnel are invited to join. A ceremony will follow at the Congregational Church.

11 a.m. — Fall River’s parade will step off on South Main Street and there will be a ceremony after it ends at Government Center.

11 a.m. — Pawtucket will hold a ceremony honoring the Anniversary of Memorial Day in remembrance of all those men and women from the city who have perished while wearing the uniform of our Armed Services.

11 a.m. — Woonsocket will hold an observance at the World War II Veterans Memorial Park on Social Street. Community members are invited to recognize those who sacrificed their lives for the country.

11:30 a.m. — New Bedford’s parade will form at the intersection of Hathaway Boulevard and Parker Street and end at Clasky Common Park. A service will be held after the parade.

1 p.m. — The State of Rhode Island will hold its 50th annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.

1 p.m. — North Providence will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade and Celebration that will kick off at North Providence High School and conclude with a ceremony at Governor Notte Park’s Amphitheater.

Did we miss an event? Email us at ReportIt@wpri.com .

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