Snapshots: Newton's Memorial Day 2025

Memday12

American Legion Post 440 Commander Don Gentile lays a wreath at Newton Cemetery during the city's Memorial Day ceremony on May 26, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Community leaders, residents, veterans, police officers, firefighters and others gathered this weekend to remember those who gave their lives for their country.

Sunday’s parade, which featured American Legion Post 440 Commander Don Gentile, could have used better weather, but the large attendance at Monday morning’s ceremony at Newton Cemetery more than made up for it.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller spoke Monday morning about the families of fallen soldiers.

“We wrap you in a strong embrace,” she said. “Know that the sacrifice you have made, and your loved ones made, is not forgotten.”

Newton’s ceremony spans three locations at Newton Cemetery, and at the second one, Fuller and Newton Veterans Services Director Seth Bai laid a wreath of bright red poppies. Poppies, which can thrive in harsh conditions, became an American symbol of perseverance and grace in battle since World War I, when red poppies were seen blooming in a ravaged battlefield in Flanders, Belgium.

Fuller visited a United States cemetery in Normandy, France, in 2018, and she brought home a few poppy wreaths, like the one she and Seth set down Monday morning, for use in Newton.

“It seems like just the right day to honor and remember with that poppy wreath,” Fuller said.

Check out these photos from Newton’s Memorial Day 2025 celebration.

Newton’s Memorial Day parade heads up Walnut Street in Newtonville on May 25, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Newton police officers march in the city’s Memorial Day parade on May 25, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Members of the National Lancers cavalry squadron out of Framingham ride on horseback in the city’s Memorial Day parade on May 25, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

A car escorting Newton Parade Marshal Don Gentile leads the parade up Walnut Street in Newtonville. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

City Council President and mayoral candidate Marc Laredo marches with his fellow councilors in in the city’s Memorial Day parade on May 25, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Unicycling jugglers ride in Newton’s Memorial Day parade on May 25, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Newton’s Memorial Day parade heads over the Massachusetts Turnpike. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Local Scouts and Brownies help with Newton’s Memorial Day ceremony at Newton Cemetery on May 26, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller speaks at Newton’s Memorial Day ceremony on May 26, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

American Legion Post 440 Commander Don Gentile lays a wreath at Newton Cemetery during the city’s Memorial Day ceremony on May 26, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle