Courtesy Photo | The New England District Ranger Color Guard and Lt. Col. Sonny Avichal pause their...... read more read more
New England District’s Deputy Commander, and the New England District Ranger Color Guard were honored with an invitation to march in the town of Concord’s Patriot’s Day parade, April 15, 2019.
The parade marks the 244th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution, which began in Concord and Lexington. The team participated to honor past Patriots and to celebrate Army Week Boston.
“It was an honor to represent the District and the Corps of Engineers at this historic event,” said Lt. Col. Avichal.
Crowds of people lined the parade route, despite the rain, to catch a glimpse of the marchers. In addition to the New England District team, there were companies of Minutemen and Fife and Drum Companies from all over the region.
“Despite the rainy weather, there was still amazing participation from the local community,” said Lt. Col. Avichal. “This is a community that appreciates and treasures its history. For me it was unbelievable to see the folks in the community come out and cheer as we marched through the streets.”
The parade, much like the New England District, is steeped in history and tradition. After assembling on Stowe St., parade participants made the 3- mile loop through Concord Center and Monument Square to the North Bridge and back again. The parade stopped briefly at the Minuteman Statue to lay a wreath in honor of the fallen Soldiers during a ceremony on the North Bridge.
“The Battle of Lexington and Concord and the Old North Bridge are landmarks in our nation’s history and it was amazing to walk on that same hallowed ground on Patriot’s Day,” said Lt. Col. Avichal.
The Corps traces its roots to Col. Richard Gridley when Gen. George Washington named him the first Chief of Engineers and ordered the field fortifications at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Corps of Engineers, New England District, is the birthplace of the Corps, and will be celebrating 244 years of service to the nation, June 16.
Nicole Giles, Ron Woodall, Matthew Coleman and Jason Robinson made up this year's Color Guard.
| Date Taken: | 04.15.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2019 21:26 |
| Story ID: | 322295 |
| Location: | CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, District Team participates in Concord’s Patriot’s Day Parade, by AnnMarie Harvie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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