Parsons Cemetery is today both operational and historic.  It is an urban green space, an outdoor museum, and in the words of architectural historian, Keith Eggener, urban cemeteries "are where life meets death, nature meets city, and present meets past."​


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Want to Participate at Parsons Cemetery: Things you do need to know

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  • This is a rain or shine event, open to the public.
  • The Cemetery will be closed to regular traffic, offsite parking has been arranged and Courtesy Transit is running a special bus service beginning at 9 am from North Salisbury Elementary Parking and Bethesda UM’s Parking Lot to the Cemetery Ceremonial Area. WAA signage identifies these sites as bus stop.
  • Handicapped parking is limited, and accessible from Hickory Avenue paralleling the Cemetery along the northern property line. Access restricted to those with DMV Disability Placards.
  • For those without a Placard but with difficulty walking, please consider using the Special Courtesy bus mentioned above.
  • N. Division Street will be closed at the Main Gate at 9:00 am to allow the procession to mobilize and commence at 10 am. 
  • Seating is available but limited, you may bring a folding chair.
  • Parsons Administrative Building is open with a restroom and with several portable toilets available nearby.
  • Handicapped Accessibility:


Parking within the Cemetery will be limited to those with Disability Placards. Drivers will be directed to a designated area within the Cemetery by Veteran volunteers.  Once parked, veterans and golf cart volunteers can assist you to the ceremony area. Please allow extra time for this.


Street Parking:  For all others, parking is available on neighboring streets (please though, do not block driveways). The following close-by locations have opened their parking lots to attendees:

  • N Salisbury Elementary, 1213 Emerson/Union Ave.
  • Bethesda United Methodist Church Parking Lot, W. Isabella & N. Division St.​​

 Please share your family information on your veteran(s) with the Parsons Cemetery Advisory Committee for inclusion in Parsons Cemetery's database.  Please use the  to parsonswreaths@yahoo.com  url.   Thank you.   

"where life meets death, nature meets city, and present meets past"

Keith Eggener, architectural historian and author of the book “Cemeteries.” 

Thank you for visiting our website and our Facebook Page.  Both our website and Facebook Page will be continuously updated with new information, historical information, pictures and videos. We invite you to send us your information on the cemetery and your loved ones, information that we can share with others. 


On July 2, 2020, the Preservation Maryland surprised Parsons Cemetery with both a nomination and award with one of four Community Choice Awards as part of their Best of Maryland Awards 2020.

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​PARSONS CEMETERY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SALISBURY, EASTERN SHORE
COMMUNITY CHOICE AWARD

Parsons Cemetery in Salisbury, Maryland is an historic operational cemetery, an urban green space, an outdoor museum, and in the words of architectural historian, Keith Eggener, a place where “life meets death, nature meets city, and present meets past.” The six-member volunteer committee is inspired by those words and diligently works towards creating a site of reverence and culture by offering self-guided walking tours based on their on-going historical and genealogical research, maintaining the 18 acres of sacred grounds and the promise of perpetual care, and filling their lively Facebook page with incredible and enduring stories of Maryland history. For these reasons, Preservation Maryland is pleased to honor and recognize the work of the past and current Parsons Cemetery Advisory Committee with a 2020 Best of Maryland Community Choice Award.​

Parsons Cemetery  EST 1873

Preserving History Remembering Lives

Parsons Cemetery (MDPACS)
 Wreaths across America 2020

​​​​​​Parsons Cemetery (MDPACS)                       Ceremony On: 12/19/20

912 N. Division St                                             Ceremony At: 10:00 AM
Salisbury, MD 21801                                         Details: parsonscemetery.com

Veteran Graves: 1150                                      Location Coordinator: Jeff Merritt
Coverage Goal: 1150                                      Location Phone Number: (410) 713-8940
Wreaths So Far:  TBD     

 Donate: https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/42616/Overview/?relatedId=0 

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​Select:  Specific Cemetery, use second button "Select Location to Support" and type in Parsons, it will automatically self-fill for Parsons Cemetery, Salisbury,MD 21801 (MDPACS) [42616], return on this page to lst button to place your order.  Thank you. ​

Registered Volunteers: 67 registrations not counting the number of individuals in those registered as a group. 


Parsons Cemetery Wreaths across America 2020 Program


NEW:  List of all known Veterans of Parsons Cemetery has been added under Genealogy Sources Link 

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Procession from Main Gate to Ceremonial Area

  • Honor Guard, escorting the
  • wreaths being carried into the Cemetery on an Vintage Army Truck,
  • accompanied by Veteran and Civic Groups, Scouts and 4-H’ers, and

           all Community Members wishing to walk with the procession 

Welcoming Remarks

  • Jeff Merritt, Operation We Care, Sponsor
  • Rick Fahey, Chair, Parsons Cemetery Advisory Committee, Host
  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • National Anthem


Official National Wreaths Across America Day Ceremony,

Bill Hagen, Commander of American Legion Post 64

  • Moment of Silence
  • VFW Honor Guard Posts Colors
  • Opening Remarks
  • Honor Guard Wreath Laying
  • Official National Ceremony Closing Remarks


Guest Speaker, TBD

Music

Wreath Laying Instructions - Jeff Merritt

Conclusion of the Wreath Laying and Remarks  -  Jeff Merritt and Rick Fahey

Honor Guard Retires Colors

TAPS

__________________________________________End Program__________________________________________________________


































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Here are some things to remember about the ceremony:

  • Everyone of all ages and backgrounds is welcome.
  • Ceremonies around the world will be starting at the same moment, so please be on time.
  • Please help ensure that all participants get the opportunity to place a wreath.
  • Please follow the location coordinators instructions on where to place wreaths, as well as "how" they should be placed.
  • We especially appreciate volunteers willing to help clean-up. Please check in with the location coordinator if you are interested in helping.


The most important thing to remember is to have a wonderful experience participating in the ceremony and thank you so much for help Wreaths achieve our mission to remember, honor and teach.