Memorial day in Whitinsville started at Memorial Square by Town Hall.  There was a parade with the NHS band, VFW, and all the scout troops including the Sea Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.  They would "march" from the square to the Pine Grove Cemetery where the Fallen was honored.  Then each participant would get a coupon for a free big scoop ice cream at Flaggs drug store.  I did not march, but my parents would give me a dime to get my own ice cream cone which created an out cry from brother and sisters about how come he gets a cone and we did the march.  Then in the afternoon we would go to St. Patrick Cemetery where the fallen where remembered again.  They played taps and had a 21 gun salute.  The lucky kids would rush over and grab the empty shells and used them as a whistle by blowing across the open end until the parents took them away.  Today, they have a televised speech about those who gave their lives and then it is hot dogs and watermellon.  Much different.