The whine of fire sirens, the blast of muskets, the sound of Dixieland Jazz, and the high jinks of the Shriners — these were among the sounds and scenes for the 2012 Arlington Patriots Day parade.
The longstanding town tradition marched down Mass. Ave. on Sunday, April 15, this year honoring the Greeley family. A force behind previous parades, Brian Greeley died last year and was honored for his years of service. For a list of all involved, see below.
For a gallery of photos, click here >>
The parade route offered a “quiet zone,” stretching from Jason Street to just past Town Hall, where spectators watched the parade with minimal noises, such as sirens and gunfire. It was not quiet at Brattle Square, where these photos were taken.
Leader Bank was the major sponsor in celebration of the bank’s 10th anniversary in Arlington.
The Shriners, always a favorite, returned. Participants included the Massachusetts State Police Pipes & Drums and many more bands, the Wells Fargo Stage Wagon, local Scouts and all sorts of Arlington community groups.
The parade was to start at 2 p.m., at Brattle Street and Mass. Ave., and was delayed a bit. Marcheres headed east on Mass. Ave. to Walgreens in East Arlington.
The yearly celebration commemorates Arlington’s Revolutionary War history as a gathering place for American militia following the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
Leader Bank also partnered with the New England School of Optometry to bring New England Eye On-Sight, a mobile vision clinic, to Arlington during the parade.
New England Eye On-Sight, stationed in front of Leader Bank’s Arlington Center branch at 449 Mass. Ave., offered free vision screenings during the parade.
More information about the parade is on the Arlington Patriots Day Parade Committee website at www.arlintonpatriotsday.org.
As the only bank headquartered in Arlington over the past decade, Leader Bank was looking forward to making this year’s parade one of the biggest celebrations yet.
“Events such as the Patriots Day Parade are important for maintaining a sense of civic pride,” said Sushil Tuli, President and CEO of Leader Bank. “Leader Bank looks forward to many more years of supporting such worthwhile events and serving the banking needs of the businesses and residents in our communities.”
A committee representative said: “The Arlington Patriots’ Day Parade Committee is excited to present one of our largest parades in many years. We are happy to have Leader Bank, our major sponsor, as well as all of our other sponsors on board to help us continue to honor the Patriots in our community.
Who’s involved and what you saw
CHAIRMAN: Joe Marshall
VICE CHAIRMAN: Laurie Marshall
TREASURER: William McCarthy
NARRATOR: Joe Marshall
GRAND MARSHAL: Greeley Family
HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL: Brian Greeley
ESCORT DIVISION
Forms on Mass. Ave. (between Brattle and Forest streets)
1. Emergency Management Pace Car
2. Motorcycles Officers – Arlington Police Department & NEMLEC
3. Arlington Police Honor Guard
4. Police, Fire, and Public Safety Units
A. Arlington Police Department Patrol Units
B. Arlington Fire Department Honor Guard
C. Arlington Fire Department Apparatus
D. EUREKA – Arlington’s Antique Fire Pump Towed by: Stephen’s Automotive
E. Fire Apparatus from Surrounding towns
F. Arlington Emergency Management Special Operations Vehicle
G. Arlington Emergency Management Mobile Cascade System
H. Emergency Apparatus from Emergency Management & Auxiliary Fire Agencies of Surrounding Communities
I. Armstrong Ambulance
J. Lifeline Ambulance
ARLINGTON FREFIGHTERS WILL BE SOLICITING FUNDS ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE FOR THE “MARCH AGAINST MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY FOR JERRY’S KIDS” WITH THEIR “FILL THE BOOT” CAMPAIGN
5. Leader Bank Banner – Parade Sponsor
6. Menotomy Minutemen
7. Leatherneck Honor Society (composed of U.S. Marine Corps veterans)
8. Combined Veterans’ Council of Arlington
A. William McCarthy – Director of Veteran Services
B. Jim Curley – CMDR DAV
9. Massachusetts State Police Vehicles
A. MSP Bagpipes
B. MSP Vehicles
10. Grand Marshal: Greeley Family
Transportation by: Bowes/GMAC Realty
11. Middlesex Sheriff’s Office
A. Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian
B. MSO Vehicles
12. Touchdown Club of Arlington (one car)
13. Leader Bank Trolley
14. Invited Federal, State, County, and Municipal Elected and Appointed Dignitaries
15. Operation Home Ties “Faces of Remembrance” by Gina Johnson
16. Hills Mills Clown Band
17. Mrs. Massachusetts-America 2012
A. Barrie Ann Lynch
18. Classic Car
A. 1961 Desoto by Bill Myers – Only 3034 made.
19. Joseph P. Hill Post #156 Waltham American Legion Marching Band
A. Waltham Band Trolley
20. Leader Bank Banner – Sponsor of the Aleppo Shrines Division
21. Aleppo/Shrines Parade Unit
a. Banner – Aleppo Temple
b. Mounted Patrol
Potentate
Divan
c. Uniformed Units
Provost Guard
Medical Corp
d. Color Guard
e. Oriental Band
f. Arab Patrol
g. Temple Guard
h. Legion of Honor
i. Directors & Staff – Chanters
j. Fire Brigade (Big & Mini Fire Apparatus)
k. Brass Band
l. Motor Patrol – Burns Hospital Float (Boston Unit)
m. Minutemen
n. Activities Unit
o. Rag Tops
p. Pipe Band
q. Cycles – Honda Silver Wings
r. Potentate’s Van
s. Clowns & Clown Train
t. Transportation Unit
u. Lighting Unit
V. Motor Cars – Worcester
22. Girl Scout Troops – Group (E)
Brackett & Ottoson Schools
23. United States Submarine Veterans, Marblehead Ma
a. Submarine Float, Cmdr. Eric H. Ericson, III
24. Filarmonica Santo Antonio Marching Band
Sponsored by Rogers & Hutchinson Funeral Home
25. Villandry Family
26. Old Redding Battery Float
c. Revolutionary War Float
27. Lynn & Jen’s Dance Studio
28. Girl Scout Troops – Group (D)
Dallin, Pierce and Stratton Schools
29. Jambalaya Jazz Band
30. Leader Bank Van & Segway’s
31. Arlington Pop Warner Cheerleaders
32. Knights of Columbus, Robert E. Grannan Council 109 – Arlington, MA
Grand Knight:
A. Liberty Jazz Band (Sponsored by: Knights of Columbus)
B. Clowns and Characters
C. Arlington Little League
33. Arlington Boy Scouts Pack 302
34. Ancient Order of Hibernian Pipe and Drum
35. Arlington Lodge #1435 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
A. Officers and Members
B. Antique ’56 Chevrolet driven by Tony Miele
36. Arlington Girl Scout Top Cookie Sellers
Kate Hurley – 400 boxes – Troop 77331
Lauren Murphy – 300 boxes – Troop 71055
Allegra Lubar – 290 boxes – Troop 71027
Arlington Girl Scout Troops – Group (A)
AHS, Home School Students K-5, St. Agnes grades 1,2 &7
37. Arlington Dog Owners Group
38. Robbins Library
39. Tony Barrie Band
40. Uncle Sam Committee – Lawrence McKinney
41. Roma Band
42. Wells Fargo Wagon
43. 28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Civil War Union
44. Leader Bank Golf Carts
45. Girl Scouts Troops – Group (B)
Thompson School -Grade 2 & 4.
Town Wide – Grade 3 & 4
46. Arlington Catholic Girls Hockey State Champs
47. Boston Windjammers Band (Boston City)
48. Girl Scout Troops – Group (C & F)
Bishop School Grades K, 2 & 3
Hardy School Grades 1-5
49. Hot Tamale Band
50. Department of Public Works
51. Arlington Police Cruiser
52. Waste Management Agency
53. Emergency Management Vehicle
This story was first published Sunday, April 15, 2012.
