Sun, family and reverence for those who gave their all

MILLBROOK — With the sun shining and the music playing, a parade  marched from the Thorne Building to the Village Green — Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, military, fire and rescue squad members — all remembering those who served, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives for their country, keeping America brave and free. Children joyfully waved their little flags as the larger flags, placed up and down Franklin Avenue, reminded the crowd of the reason behind the annual Memorial Day celebrations.

Various vehicles, including several classic cars along with Army and other military vehicles, were a part of the parade, with veterans and other service members marching toward the Green, where there was a gun salute and the laying of wreaths at the memorial. Climbing the stairs to the Tribute Gardens for the major portion of the celebration, marchers and parade goers reached the top of the gardens.

 There town Supervisor Gary Ciferri, himself a Vietnam veteran, introduced the key note speaker, Lisa Shay, a 1989 graduate of West Point. Graduating second in a class of 1,063, she majored in electrical engineering, acquiring a Ph.D. in that area during her career. Colonel Shay served as commander of the 44th Signal Battalion in Germany, and later spent 18 years at West Point as director of the Electrical Engineering Department.

Memorial Day is a tribute to veterans but also to family values and respect for this country and those who sacrificed. Many of the crowd would be leaving this official ceremony to venture out to picnics, cookouts and other celebratory festivities.

Once again, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Millbrook Post 9008, proved their valor, and while many of vets are aging, some passing away, they are not forgotten. 

The ceremony, as always, was both respectful and touching. There is something about seeing the red, white and blue of the flags waving in a gentle breeze, with the sun shining on them, a positive note in a world that is not always perfect, but in a country that remembers, hopes, and works to achieve that perfect union.