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KINGSTON — Veterans, residents, officials and first responders waving American flags, saluting and wearing the nation’s colors thronged Wyoming Avenue Monday afternoon for the annual West Side Memorial Day Parade, honoring those who gave their lives in service to the country.
“It’s not our day,” said Vietnam veteran Mark Christian. “Memorial Day is a day to remember our fallen members who helped make a beautiful day like today possible.”
Wearing a shirt that said “Stay true to the red, white and blue,” the Kingston native, 71, served in Vietnam for two years after he was drafted. He said Monday’s turnout by the community showed that people haven’t forgotten about the veterans and that people still appreciate them.
“It’s not hard to show support once a year for Memorial Day, especially on a beautiful day,” Christian added. “I know people use the day of remembrance as a three-day vacation and an excuse to cook up hot dogs but he day is significant because there were veterans who left and never returned.”
The West Side event was only one of several Memorial Day parades and commemorations across the region on Monday.
The Wyoming Valley West marching band, accompanied by its cheerleaders, were among the first participants to make the nearly 2.5-mile trek along the parade route from Kingston Corners to Forty Fort Cemetery.
Loud applause and cheers followed them as they played an instrumental rendition of “God Bless America.”
Serving as the 2019 grand marshal, Matthew F. Ford, 79, took in the sights.
“It was exhilarating. It’s something I wasn’t expecting to do,” Ford, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Air Force for two decades said. “I’m grateful for having the opportunity to lead the parade. It was truly an honor.”
Ford said he wished more people could have turned out, but he was happy to see other veterans make the trip.
“It gives me chills,” Ford said of seeing other veterans along the parade route. “Seeing some of the veterans who may have medical problems and even the younger vets come out is great.”
For Ford, Memorial Day will always symbolize the “preservation of this country and to keep it free as it has been.”
Tony Brooks, director of the Wilkes-Barré Preservation Society, offered remarks during a ceremony at Forty Fort Cemetery, where the parade ended.
“I was asked to speak on the importance of remembering and honoring by the Black Diamond American Legion Post,” Brooks said. “By remembering them it shows that we express our gratitude to those that served and it makes their sacrifice meaningful.”
“People should continue to honor those that have gone before us because they are the ones that have given us the life and country we have today,” he added.
Forty Fort Borough Mayor Andy Tuzinski was a proud participant in the parade and enjoyed the concluding ceremony.
“The ceremony underscores why we are all here today,” said Tuzinski. “It’s to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice to pay for our freedom and to remember them and what they did so it’s not forgotten.”
Tuzinski encouraged people to fly the American flag with pride.
“Remember that the right to fly the flag proudly was fought for with the blood and tears of the fallen,” he said.
