A crowd of about 75 gathered around the Myra Kraft bridge for wreath throwing and prayer at the Memorial Day Water Ceremony at Elm Park on Sunday. The event, dedicated to service members who have lost their lives around the world, included members from several Worcester-based honor guards, who came out in full regalia, which set a solemn tone.
At both the beginning and end of the event, a man wearing a MAGA hat and carrying Trump signage tried to become a part of the ceremony. Dr. Joe Robinson, Worcester’s chief of Veteran Services, respectfully declined the attempt to inject political narratives into the event.
The man, who refused to identify himself, stood away from the crowd during the ceremony. Carmelo ‘Doc’ Infantino, a veteran Navy Corpsman who served in the color guard for the event, confronted the man at the end of the ceremony after he made several comments.
The confrontation lasted about 30 minutes after the event. Mr. Infantino walked beside the unidentified man while the veteran groups walked to their cars parked along Russell Street and in the parking lot of St. Spyridon’s Greek Orthodox Church.
“Politics has no place during a ceremony to honor our noble dead , Infantino said. “Our veterans and family members should not be distracted while we focus on honoring those who have served.”
Attendees of the event were happy that politics was not allowed at the event, with several people praising Dr. Robinson’s decision not to allow the man to speak or hold his signs up as part of the ceremony.
Dr. Robinson led the event, which also featured remarks from Mayor Joe Petty. District Attorney Joseph Early, Representative David LeBouef and City Councilor Kate Toomey were present at the event.
Elm Park has been home to the Memorial Day Water Ceremony for at least 45 years. Dee Dively, Past Commander of the Worcester Veterans’ Council, read an article from the Telegram & Gazette from 1980 as part of the ceremony, before flowers were thrown into Lincoln Pond from Myra Kraft Bridge.
The Worcester Veteran’s Council and the City of Worcester Division of Veterans Services presented the event. Tortorellis’ Sound provided sound, with many festive marches played.
