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City Hall Plaza hosts Patriot's Day parade today

E-mail|Link|Comments () April 19, 2010 12:31 PM

Patriot's Day parade in Boston. (Andrew Ryan / Globe Staff)

By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

Patriot's Day merriment in Boston kicked off this morning in the cold shadow of City Hall Plaza, where the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company joined the North End Marching Band and ROTC programs from a half dozen local high schools.

With flags and ceremonial rifles, they paraded down Tremont Street with His Majesty's 47th Regiment of Foot and the Boston Police Special Operations Unit. At King's Chapel, they laid a wreath on the grave of William Dawes and did the same in the Granary Burial Ground at the final resting place of Paul Revere.

"Patriot's Day has a special meaning in Boston," Mayor Thomas M. Menino told the crowd at the start. "Our country and everything we stand for started right here on these streets."

"The liberties we hold so close in our hearts began in Boston with people like Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock," Menino continued. "But let us not forget the thousand of common people who aren't mentioned in history books but who helped alter the course of world history."

A few dozen people stopped on the steps of City Hall Plaza to watch the brief ceremony. Some paused as they headed to work. Others such as Mick Foot, 43, and his two sons, came specifically to get a taste of Boston's history away from the bustle of the marathon and Fenway Park.

"Since it's Patriot's Day today," said Foot of Keene, N.H., "we thought we'd start the day here."