Chelsea holds Memorial Day ceremony at Garden Cemetery as city cites restoration efforts

Chelsea held a Memorial Day observance at Garden Cemetery on May 26, 2025, with city officials, students and veterans taking part in readings, music and a wreath-laying to honor residents who died in military service.

Tracy Nowicki, director of Health and Human Services for the City of Chelsea, said the event was intended to reestablish the cemetery as a focal point for Memorial Day in the city. “We are really excited, about this Memorial Day service as it will begin our first of in a long time of incorporating and bringing back the most sacred ground in the city of Chelsea, which is Garden Cemetery,” Nowicki said.

The governor’s proclamation declaring May 26, 2025, as Memorial Day in Massachusetts was read during the ceremony. Ashley Hernandez, a Brown Middle School student, read the text that urged Massachusetts residents to “take cognizance of the event and participate fittingly in its observance.” The proclamation was issued by Maura Healey, governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Francisco Toro, director of veteran services for the city, described the cemetery restoration as a multi-year process that involved several departments and city council support. “It’s been a long process. Many years of trying to get this together. Support from the city council, from every department has taken part in hand in making sure this gets done,” Toro said. He asked for continued community support for restoration work.

City Council President Narlisa Jesus and other councilors joined the ceremony. “Memorial Day is not just a day of remembrance. It’s a day of reflection for all of us here,” Jesus said, urging the community to carry forward “the lessons of service, bravery, and unity.” Councilor Leo Robinson, an at-large member and Vietnam veteran, praised the Chelsea High School band and thanked students for participating.

Students from several Chelsea schools — including Hook, Kelley, Berkowitz and Sokolowski schools — read short biographies of the veterans for whom their schools are named. Chelsea High School’s band and the Chelsea Police Honor Guard took part in the program; firefighter Kevin O’Keefe played the bagpipes and the band performed the national anthem and other selections. Attendees observed a moment of silence, and taps and wreaths were presented as part of the ceremony.

Guest speakers Max Cardano and Brian P. Nelson addressed the crowd, emphasizing the role of youth in carrying forward the legacy of those who served. City officials and staff thanked departments and volunteers, and Toro specifically acknowledged the Chelsea Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Public Works for efforts tied to the Garden Cemetery renovations.

Organizers said participants would proceed in a procession to City Hall for a main event scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony closed with a prayer and expressions of gratitude to veterans and their families.

The event combined ceremonial elements (music, readings, wreath-laying) with municipal remarks about the ongoing restoration of Garden Cemetery and the involvement of schools and city departments.