The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin Memorial Day Parade Showcases Small Town Americana

By

By Doug La Rocque

The true meaning of Memorial Day is often not lost across the small towns of rural America, and Berlin once again has shown loudly and proudly, you can count them among those numbers.  [private]

Post Commander Wally O’Neil speaking at the memorial ceremonies.
Post Commander Wally O’Neil speaking at the memorial ceremonies.

 

The Berlin High School Band playing during the parade.
The Berlin High School Band playing during the parade.

 

The Cantering Cowpokes 4-H Club had a good showing in the Memorial Day Parade. The weather was very cooperative for the parade, as the morning showers had cleared off and the evening showers had not arrived yet. All photos by Doug La Rocque
The Cantering Cowpokes 4-H Club had a good showing in the Memorial Day Parade. The weather was very cooperative for the parade, as the morning showers had cleared off and the evening showers had not arrived yet. All photos by Doug La Rocque

For more than 70 years, marchers have prominently displayed the nation’s colors and the crowds again lined the streets of the village to cheer and honor all who have served, past and present.  This year’s parade stepped off Monday at 11 am along Main Street, stopping at the Memorial in the center of town to celebrate this day, and raise the Flag back to full staff.

The parade is put on by Taconic Valley Post 937 of the American Legion.  Commander Wally O’Neil spoke to those gathered, invoking the memory of President John F. Kennedy with his comments on those who served their country.  Area youth groups, the Berlin High School Band and fire departments from Berlin, Petersburgh and Grafton also joined in the parade which wound its way through town to Southeast Hollow Rd. and the cemetery where the Legion rendered honors to those who have passed.[/private]