Yesterday afternoon, we had our annual Memorial Day Parade come through downtown Aiken. No funerals scheduled, so I took the opportunity to walk across the street and take the event in with my camera. (remember, you can click on the photos to make them bigger)
Big cities do not have parades like this. Our parade is “Small Town” as John Mellencamp would say.
Memorial Day is remembering the war dead, but it is an easy excuse to honor all those that served.
The Grand Marshall of the parade was Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald S. Pflieger and as he led off the parade, I was treated to a scene that I would see dozens of times in the next 45 minutes or so.
Sitting across the street from me was an elderly veteran who I did not recognize. As the parade neared, he rose with everyone else and saluted the Flag as it came by. The Sgt. Maj, saw him, trotted over, shook his hand and said a few words…instant tears in my eyes. That scene was repeated again and again by veterans and civilians walking in the parade.
I also happened to be standing behind a group of veterans who were seated in lawn chairs and as the floats floated by, words of thanks were sent to those wearing hats and shirts identifying them as veterans.
God bless small cities.

Aiken City Ladder-1. A few years ago, I had the honor of driving this beast in it’s first Memorial Day Parade. Today, it was Capt. Brian Brian Brazier driving, with his wife, Robin sitting in the Capt.s seat.

Something tells me that this is a group that you would not see in any parades, say, in my home state of New Jersey.

The Military Order of The Purple Heart, Corp. Matt Dillion Chapter. Happy to see these folks as I provided the late Ed Hammons with some seed money to help start this chapter back a few years ago.

My colleagues, Mr. Shellhouse and Mr. Anderson bring up the rear, as no one likes have to watch where they march.
But, lest we forget amongst the band, floats, hot dogs, etc., what this day is about:
Thank you very much for all these photos. Due to a commitment yesterday, we were not able to attend the parade. I feel like I was there after seeing all these beautiful photos.
🙂
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Great post, great pix Big. Gotta love Aiken! E.
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Thank you for your posting of pictures and comments on the Memorial Day parade. I will put a link on our web page to this post.
Jim Kline, Senior Vice Commandant & Web Sergent, Detachment 939, Marine Corps League
http://www.aikenmcl939.org
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You captured the essence of what this parade is all about. Thanks,
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