OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Memorial Day was marked by a festive parade through town and a ceremony of somber remembrance for those in the military who have served our country.
Parade-goers crowded Saco Avenue and Old Orchard Street Monday afternoon to watch the more than 60 groups go by. Participants included local civic organizations handing out candy, politicians and local officials waving and shaking hands, school marching bands, baton twirlers, athletic teams, military groups in uniform, the Old Orchard Beach Lawnmower Drill Team, the Kora Shriners, and a truck carrying members of the Red Hat Society.
“What a wonderful parade,” said retired Gen. Steve Nichols, who served as the master of ceremonies. At a ceremony in Memorial Park, Nichols thanked parade organizer Bob McNally for his work and he asked the crowd to speculate what the day would be like if only McNally or only one band came to participate.
Many of the great historic military leaders, including George Washington and Civil War Gen. Joshua Chamberlain, would not have been able to accomplish what they did on the battlefields if it weren’t for the soldiers who worked with them, said Nichols.
He thanked the soldiers who have served for our country, both past and present.
“It is through their collective efforts, their teamwork, that we have won our wars and preserved our democracy during this nation’s hard times,” he said.
Likewise, people should all work together to help get through the hard economic times today, he said.
Old Orchard Beach resident Nancy Kelley held a brief ceremony honoring her son Christopher Cash, who died in 2004 while serving in Iraq. The ceremony was held in front of a tulip poplar tree that was planted in Memorial Park in 2005 in remembrance of Cash.
Kelley opened the ceremony with a prayer honoring those who were willing to die to protect the United States.
“Today we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” she said.
Town Clerk Kim McLaughlin said that people should honor those who served for our county, not just on Memorial Day, but every day.
“If it wasn’t for what they’ve done for us, we wouldn’t be standing here right now today, having this beautiful parade and being able to honor so many,” said McLaughlin.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@gwi.net.
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