Members of the Irish 28th MA Volunteers fired their weapons during a salute at last year’s Memorial Day observances in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Chris Lovett photo

A decorated Boston native and veteran of the war in Iraq will be the keynote speaker at Monday’s Memorial Day ceremonies in Cedar Grove Cemetery. The neighborhood’s observation of Memorial Day, which dates back to 1868 when Dorchester was still an independent town, includes a parade of veterans and musical units that starts at 10 a.m. from the McKeon Post on Hilltop Street.

The parade and solemn ceremonies that follow at the cemetery typically draws thousands of spectators in a neighborhood with a long tradition of military service.

St. Mark’s VFW 1758 serves as the host post of this year’s events, with Francis A. Cahill serving as Officer of the Day. Cahill says that a number of musical units— including the Boston Police Gaelic Column, Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes and Drums, Thomas J. Kenny School Band and Frank Zarba Band will participate in the procession to Cedar Grove Cemetery.

The Irish 28th MA Volunteers— who portray Civil War soldiers who fought for the Union cause, will also be part of the parade and ceremonies. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Union victory in the war. The ceremonies at Cedar Grove Cemetery always begin around 10:45 a.m. with a prayer service and laying of wreaths at the Benjamin Stone statue next to the burial plot of men from the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which includes many Dorchester men who died on Civil War battlefields. The ceremonies next shift to stage set up on the main lawn of the cemetery. This year’s keynote speaker will be delivered by Command Sgt. Major William J. Doherty, a 33 year veteran of the US Army. Doherty has served in Korea, Iraq and Kuwait during his various tours of duty. According to the US Army, he has earned three Bronze Stars, inclouding two with valor. He is presently assigned to Fort Pope, Louisiana.

Dorchester’s Memorial Day exercises were pioneered by the triumphant veterans of the “War of the Rebellion” who marched to the Cedar Grove Cemetery each May for what was then called “Decoration Day.” The modern day parade that will precede Monday’s ceremonies begins at 10 a.m. from the McKeon Post on Hilltop Street and makes several turns on the hill behind St. Brendan’s church, following a route up Granite Avenue to Gallivan Boulevard before reaching Adams Street and the cemetery.

Following the services at Cedar Grove, many local veterans and their families will gather at the Vietnam War Memorial on Morrissey Boulevard for a ceremony. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the American military involvement in Vietnam.