ROCHESTER — During opening speeches for Rochester’s Memorial Day Procession, State Senator Michael Rodrigues honored the sacrifice of fallen WWII soldiers who never came home: “They gave up their chances to be husbands, fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country,” he said.

The reverent procession made its way through Rochester on May 25, accompanied by a patriotic marching band performance, heartfelt poetry recitation and choral performance.

“These gatherings have taken many forms over the years, some of them more formal than others,” said Chris Gerrior, Veteran Service Officer for Rochester, Marion and Mattapoisett. “New elements and traditions have come and gone and come back again over those years.”

“Our goal was to create an event that would be respectful and appropriate, to honor those who we honor on Memorial Day,” he added.

An opening ceremony took place at the Rochester Council on Aging where Rochester Boy Scout Troop 31 performed the Posting of the Colors, the choral group the Showstoppers sang a medley of Patriotic songs and Old Rochester eighth grader Esther Smith read a proclamation by Governor Maura Healey. 

Reverend Kathleen Gayoski said a prayer to commence the event, followed by speeches from Select Board Chair Bradford Morse, State Representative Mark Sylvia and Rodrigues.

In his speech, Morse acknowledged the sacrifice of Rochester residents who lost their lives in combat.

“We reflect on the brave Rochester residents who left their homes and families to defend the ideals we hold dear, freedom, justice and democracy, and who never returned,” he said.

Sylvia reflected upon the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

“Let us remember the more than 58,000 US service members who lost their lives and are memorialized at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “To all of those Vietnam veterans that are here today or along the parade route, welcome home.”

Members of the Rochester Fire Department and Troop 31 scouts hoisted flags above the procession, marching from the Council on Aging to Town Hall to Daggett Square. In front of Town Hall, the Rochester Memorial School Band performed “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and Old Colony Regional Technical Vocational High School junior Cameron Makuch recited the Gettysburg Address, with Gerrior acknowledging the soldiers of the Civil and Revolutionary Wars.

Old Rochester Regional High School freshman Ava Figueiredo recited the war poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae at Daggett Square, where Gerrior honored the soldiers of World War I.

“I think it’s really important to bring the community together, to recognize all the service that long past members of the community have given to the town,” said Sharon Hartley, Chair of the Events Committee.