Photos: Newton Memorial Day parade, ceremony

Newton marked Memorial Day with two days of observances paying tribute to those who served in the armed forces and are no longer with us.

On Sunday, wreaths were hung at monuments and along the bridges over the Massachusetts Turnpike, bridges named after fallen soldiers from Newton.

Sunday afternoon brought a parade of police, firefighters, military service members, Uncle Sam on stilts, a mime on a unicycle and more as sunny skies and warm temperatures made for an ideal parade setting.

Monday, like the weather accompanying it, brought a more solemn tone.

Local leaders, veterans, Scouts and others gathered at Newton Cemetery to honor those who gave their lives in service to the nation.

“This is the first time I’m doing this without my dad still alive,” Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said as she spoke on Monday morning. Her father, Alan Schwartz, enlisted as a teenager to fight in World War II and died last year.

“There’s something particularly moving this morning for me, and I know for a number of others who are here who are thinking of their family members,” she said.

Below are photos from Sunday’s parade and Monday’s ceremony.