A candlelight vigil was held on Friday, June 27, at Dennett Elementary School to honor Plympton resident, Evan Zachary Ellis, who tragically passed away on Monday, June 23, in a motorcycle accident. Principal Peter Veneto oversaw the vigil that was organized by Avery Curran. Family, friends, classmates, and community members brought candles, photos, and flowers to celebrate Evan’s memory. Evan attended Dennett Elementary from K-6th grade, Silver Lake Regional Middle School, and graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School in 2024. Evan will be missed by many and we at the Express share our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Local grief counselors are offering their services for those in need of guidance at this time.

Stephani Teran
Express Newspapers
In a society that increases in rush and intensity all the time, Plympton is a haven for traditions and events that bring the community together and provide a chance for people to slow down and appreciate life. One such tradition is the town’s annual Memorial Day parade where veterans who lost their lives in service are honored and remembered. The expected scene marching down Main Street is quintessentially “Plympton” with lively children donning town team baseball caps and Scout uniforms, a line of tractors driven by grinning proprietors who are easily recognized as local farmers and friends, familiar first responders who also assist in organizing the event, elegant horses urged further down the road by expert equestrians astride, and of course the crowd favorites: the cow and bumblebee trains from Sauchuk’s loaded with some of the tiniest townspeople waving flags.
To attendees, the parade may seem like an event that comes and goes in a few hours, but a deeper examination of the efforts that go into putting this display of remembrance together reveals months of planning and collaborative efforts between various town organizations as well as the time, energy, and expertise of the parade committee, and the experience and direction of the Board of Selectmen and Selectmen’s Assistant, Briggette D. Martins.
Martins, who grew up in Plympton, remembers marching in the Memorial Day Parade as a Brownie in Girl Scouts and with the Plympton Children’s Garden Club. “The parade has been going on for over fifty-five years,” she recalls while sitting in her sunny office after an hour-long parade committee meeting.
Martins explains that one of her job duties is to organize and oversee the Memorial Day Parade each year. “The first year I did it was 2016 and it was cancelled that morning because of heavy rain and lightning,” she says laughing.
Martins said the parade route has stayed about the same aside from the Plympton Tricentennial when it came down Mayflower Road. She explains that in order to keep things running and organized it takes a substantial collective effort from many “faithful helpers” as she refers to the people who have been assisting and supporting the parade for many years without fail.
“I want the town to know that volunteering is huge,” she says while listing off the many people and organizations who work with her on this event each year.
Martins and the Parade Committee meet at Town Hall each month to collaborate and organize the Memorial Day events. Serving on the committee with Martins is Plympton Fire Chief Cheryl Duddy, Lieutenant Daniel Hoffman of the Plympton Police Department, Rob Firlotte of the Plympton Highway Department, Plympton Library Director Mike Slawson, Captain John Sjostedt of the Plympton Fire Department, and the Board of Health Administrative Assistant, Cathy Ferguson. The meetings demonstrate teamwork, sharp thinking, thorough planning, and friendly banter. When an issue or question comes up it is clear that the committee is comfortable with each other and knows the process well enough to work through things quickly. A great deal of time is spent discussing and refining the parade route and road closures. Safety is very obviously the first concern of all on the committee and detailed plans are made to ensure this for everyone. Factors like heat, walking distance, water bottles, and pacing are also taken into consideration.
Careful decisions are made as to who will be walking and riding in vehicles. The parade order is set to best serve everyone and ensure that antique cars and small children don’t overheat.
In addition to planning the parade procession a good deal of time is spent organizing the subsequent ceremony at the Town Gazebo. Each year the committee thoughtfully reviews the program line up, the chosen readings, songs to be shared, and flag displays that best pay respect to those who the day pays homage to.
“We honor the past and the present,” Martins says when stating her intention with the ceremony.
The reflective Town Gazebo ceremony is to be followed by some fun with a “Touch a Truck” event and hot dogs served at the Fire Station as well as a Build Your Own Sundae at the library. The committee is always appreciative of donations for materials and supplies for these events and they go to great lengths to ensure families can enjoy themselves with food and drink after the parade.
Following the Parade Committee meeting Martins asked that the town be made aware of a few things. First, Martins asked to include a list of people in our town she would like to thank for their help -both currently and over the years. She extends her special thanks to: her Parade Committee: Kim Adams, the Albertis, the Kupic family, the Wilhelmsens, Jennifer Macdonald, Mike Lemieux, Roxanne Whitbeck, Scott Sauchuk of Sauchuk Farm, as well as PAYS, Sysco, the Plympton Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Dennett Elementary School, the Plympton Fire Department, the Plympton Police Department, and anyone who has offered help in any way to continue the parade’s success each year.
A few items Martins asks the public to remember this year to increase safety and provide a positive experience for all: “We are not throwing candy,” she reminds, “This is a somber parade and we are to be respectful of the meaning of it.”
She also asks that parents dress their children appropriately for the weather which is often quite warm and provide them water and sunscreen. In addition, she asks that law enforcement’s road closures are strictly adhered to in order to avoid potential safety issues and to keep the parade running on time.
Overall, the Plympton Memorial Day Parade is always a meaningful experience for those who attend and participate. Martins said her hope for future parades involves including a few floats. She encourages local businesses to step up and make a “big deal” out of the parade by creating a float featuring a theme and local talent or townspeople who would fit nicely with the purpose of the event.
When met with eager volunteers, Martins certainly knows how to orchestrate and motivate all who are willing to help to make the Plympton Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony a special and cherished tradition.
“I still get goosebumps every year,” says Martin, rather proving that the honor and reflection meant to be shown and felt through the parade are kept sacred and at the heart of all the bustle and effort.