Rochester veteran chosen as Grand Marshal for Wareham Veterans Day Parade

WAREHAM  – The Wareham Veterans Day Parade Committee has chosen a Rochester native as 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 in the Field Artillery.

Born at home, and raised in Rochester, Sylvia grew up working on cranberry bogs after school, helping his family as one of ten children. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1967 as the first class to graduate from the new high school. After returning from Vietnam, he worked in construction in Boston, and then Los Angeles.

Later, he moved to West Wareham and joined the Dudley  L. Brown VFW in Onset as a life member. Sylvia is an avid motorcycle rider, and his current hobby today is the food truck he built called Uncle Bob’s Food. He also enjoys spending time with his daughter and two grandchildren.

The theme of this year's parade is "Honoring Our Veterans 1776-2026" as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. The parade takes place on Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. on Main Street from Besse Park to Centre Park where a ceremony follows the parade. All veterans are invited to then attend a free luncheon in the Congregational Church Hall.