Memorial Day Parade
Matt Michailoff
June 12, 2023
The annual Pelham Memorial Day Parade marched through Pelham on Monday May 29, honoring those who died in service in our country and our community. The parade started on Esplanade outside of the Manor Club and ended at Veterans Park on Fifth Avenue where the proceeding memorial service took place.
“The parade comes down my street every year, and I always love to see familiar and new faces joining the parade,” said junior Kady Finegan, resident of Wolfs Lane.
There were hundreds of people marching in the parade and even more lining the street to watch. There were classic convertibles and military style automobiles which drove along the road with the parade. Among the groups marching were Troop 1 Pelham Boy Scouts of America, the PMHS band, Wisdom Way Martial Arts, and the Girl Scouts of America. Additionally, members of the navy from the USS Wasp and members of the USA marines marched.
“Being in the Boy Scout troop in the parade made me feel like I was an important part of our community,” said junior William Johnson, senior patrol leader of Troop 1 Pelham. “It made me feel patriotic.”
Those marching in the parade included Pelham Post 50, Scouts BSA Troop 1 Pelham, the Girl Scouts, and Wisdom Way Martial Arts. The grand marshal of the parade was retired army nurse Deidre Thomas. Nurse Thomas is the daughter of class of 1946 graduate, Eli Howard, who died in service during the Vietnam War.
Prior to the parade, there was a breakfast organized for members of the military who were marching and scout volunteers who helped set up the ceremony. The proceeding ceremony included performances from S. Taponga on flute, Nate Hopper on trumpet, and vocal performances from Julianna Lieggi and the Pelham Larks.
