‘Recognizing the cost of freedom’ in Falls Village

FALLS VILLAGE — People started filtering into downtown Falls Village an hour or so before the Memorial Day parade, which kicked off at 9:45 a.m.

Many brought baked goods to the soon-to-opened Off the Trail Cafe, where Liz and Howie Ives had coffee, lemonade and watermelon salad ready for post-parade refreshments. Liz Ives said the cafe will be officially opened in mid-June.

The parade came through, led by a band of percussion and brass instruments. It featured fire trucks, an ambulance, stilt walkers, classic cars and a couple of horses bringing up the rear.

At the town green, First Selectman Dave Barger greeted the crowd with a prayer.

Selectman Judy Jacobs noted that while Memorial Day is for America’s fallen military, several veterans participated in the parade, including Sandy Rhoades, Sergei Fedorjaczenko, Rou Jensen, Woods Sinclair, Loy Timolat, Eric Carlson, David Boyer, Bosco Schell, Jim Holcomb, Matt Gallagher, Hope Gallagher and Tony Testa.

Both the Gallaghers are Navy veterans. Matt Gallagher said Memorial Day “is about recognizing the cost of the freedoms we often take for granted.” Speaking of those who died, he said “Let us strive to be a nation worthy of their sacrifice.”

The selectmen honored Gail Allyn as Volunteer of the Year, and Dick and Donna Heinz received the Community Service Award.

Katelin Lopes sang the National Anthem a cappella, with the crowd of some 100 joining in.

Barger wrapped it up by saying “We must walk away knowing that these four things support the nation: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave.”