Bright blue skies and warm weather were the perfect setting for
the hundreds of area residents that turned out for the Memorial Day
parade and services Monday.
People of all ages wore red, white and blue and T-shirts with
emblems of our country and her fallen heroes, including the
nation’s flag, the American bald eagle and even the Twin
Towers.
The parade got underway shortly after 10 a.m., led by the
Bradford City Police and Bradford City Fire Department.
While the crowd cheered heartily for those public servants, the
cheers grew to a roar when the area veterans came marching behind
them.
Veterans of all ages marched with pride, from those who served
during World War II, to the Korean War, the Vietnam War and as
recent as the Gulf War.
Also marching were the Bucktail Civil War re-enactors, Boy
Scouts of America, Girls Scouts of the United States, the Bradford
Area High School Marching Band, the Floyd C. Fretz Marching Band,
the St. Bernard Catholic School Marching Band and the School Street
Elementary Marching Band.
A handful of groups with floats also participated in the parade,
including the First Baptist Church Avalanche Ranch group, the
Bradford Manor king and queen, a local Red Hat ladies’ group, the
McKean County SPCA, the SALSA organization, the University of
Pittsburgh at Bradford campus police, Katt Kart Racing all-terrain
vehicle club and the Street Dreams Car Club.
A young girl at the head of the Street Dreams procession sang
“America the Beautiful.”
Young children dashed for candy as parade participants threw
them treats, handed out miniature American flags and gave away
straw cowboy hats.
After the parade had ended, some residents wandered away, but
many stayed for the Memorial Day services on Veterans Square.
Master of Ceremonies 1st Sgt. Kris Goll got the services
underway and was met by cheers and applause after asking, “Isn’t
this a beautiful day to be alive in this great country?”
Sgt. 1st Class George Hocker read Gen. Logan’s address, followed
by the symbolic placing of the sprays. The invocation was given by
the Rev. Timothy Brown; Jim Balardia read “Flander’s Fields.”
Parade marshal and World War II veteran Elmer DeLucia drew much
admiration and appreciation, and even a few tears, with his own
Memorial Day address.
He talked about the unsung heroes of every war, going on to say
that Bradford’s own unsung hero was Robert Zimmerman.
DeLucia said that during a battle, Zimmerman was providing first
aid to the soldiers in his unit under heavy machine gun fire.
DeLucia said Zimmerman’s seven-man crew eventually took out the
German tank firing on them, but it was Zimmerman helping wounded
man after wounded man onto the vehicle that would take them away
from the battle to safety.
“Your father,” DeLucia said to Zimmerman’s son somewhere in the
audience, “is a true American hero.”
DeLucia went on to read his address. “I am the United States,”
touting many of the great ideals, places and people that make up
the face of our country, he said.
His voice faltered only once, as he recalled D-Day on the shores
of Normandy – a day he saw with his own young eyes.
The rest of his address rang out across the square and down Main
Street, his voice strong and commanding, bringing many of the
residents to tears themselves.
The services ended traditionally with “Taps” and the 21-rifle
salute.
