Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those fallen in our armed forces. Our community, like thousands of communities across America, paid tribute with a Memorial Day parade followed by a ceremony at a nearby cemetery. The parade was followed by crowds of people on foot to the final ceremony.
The crowds were thin where we were…. the pre-parade setup area. We watched as people and groups arrived to find their place in the parade lineup…. the marines, scouts, firemen, band members, the Independence Museum, DAR, the Warrior 180 Foundation, and other organizations… local and national, young and old.
Members of the VFW were everywhere making sure each person had a flag or two to wave when the parade passed. How meaningful it was to talk with this young man of 80 who served his country for 33 years.
This year the weather was favorable for something else we came to see… a helicopter drop of a memorial wreath over the Squamscott River in remembrance of service members lost at sea. The weather has not been favorable for this event in the few years we’ve lived here.
Three other wreaths were placed along the parade route with stops for services at two locations. It was a special day to see so many residents lining the parade route supporting veterans and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Exeter and its residents should be proud of their Memorial Day celebration. It looks like a wonderful opportunity for families to have fun while they are acknowledging and respecting the true meaning of the long weekend.
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Families do have fun and the kids learn a lot. It’s not a carnival atmosphere with people selling here and there. It is a quiet respect that is shared.
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What a lovely way to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
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It is a poignant event filled with patriotism and respect. It is so well-attended.
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I like that there are still parades on Memorial Day. Yours looks fairly well attended.
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I’ve lived in different communities but this one supports the day much more than others. People line the entire main street and beyond, then fall in behind the parade to the final ceremony.
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That’s refreshing!
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That looks like an incredible Memorial Day experience! 🙂
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It is so wonderful to see this, reminds me of my youth when it seemed like this day of honoring was taking a bit more to heart. Lovely photos. Kim
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