Memorial Day

Parents of three soldiers and Marines currently serving in Afghanistan or Iraq will march. See inside for details of the parade.
May 22, 2009

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

“The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”

The day was first observed on 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday, in 1873. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I, when the holiday changed from honoring only those who had died fighting in the Civil War to Americans who died fighting in any war.

Preceding the parade, a laying of the wreath ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. at King Street and Bedford Road, the corner where several early star magnolias bloom.  Several town board members, veterans, clergy and Girl and Boy Scouts will be in attendance. 

Just after that ceremony, the parade will form at Ridgewood Terrace and King Street and step off promptly at 11:00 a.m. Every year, town government officials, Scouts, school bands, veterans, fire companies, the ambulance corps and many other local groups and organizations march down King Street to Memorial Plaza in front of the train station. 

This year, retired Commander Mike Tagg of the U.S. Coast Guard will speak. Bell students will present oral histories of New Castle veterans, and we will honor residents currently serving in conflicts. The service will conclude with a reading of the Honor Roll of New Castle dead.

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