On a cloudy and cool Sunday afternoon the Newton Memorial Day Parade went off without a hitch. Crowds lined the route where they were entertained by several bands and enjoyed the festivities. There was a little of something for everyone from Pat Patriot from the New England Patriots and Blades from the Boston Bruins, antique military vehicles, and much more.
Along the parade route Mayor Setti Warren stops to say hello to Tuukka Rask goaltender for the Boston Bruins
Members of the Needham High Marching Band
Massachusetts National Lancers Military Mounted Unit
Stow Minuteman Co. 1774
Merrimack Valley Military Vehicle Collectors
Blades from the Boston Bruins high fives members of Newton Lacrosse.
Everybody loves a Keith Jacobson-photographed parade! Thanks for sharing Keith.
At the risk of being a curmudgeon, I want to share a Memorial Day question I’ve been pondering today. Not too long ago, I was working with a local radio station when one of their DJs wished listeners a great/happy/fun Memorial day weekend. The station received multiple listener complains and the DJ issued a Facebook apology.
The complaint was that the purpose of Memorial day is for remembering those who have passed – And especially in appreciation for those who gave their lives so we can enjoy freedom and liberty. When I was a child, my family would often visit our family cemetery on Memorial Day.
Newton’s PR around today’s events struck me as odd … “Join the Excitement” “Meet Elmo, Winnie the Pooh and Minnie Mouse” And the reporting after the parade … “Crowds lined the route where they were entertained by several bands and enjoyed the festivities”
Is this OK? Or are we stepping over the purpose of this day? I’m not sure how I feel about it – But I did notice it and am curious if anyone has thoughts on the topic.
This does not have to be so difficult. You can honor the sacrifice that others have made so that you CAN enjoy Elmo and Mickey and marching bands. And to be technical, the parade was not on Memorial Day. It was on the day before.
Either way, enjoy the freedom to celebrate that those who came before us fought for.