Due to pandemic restrictions the past couple of years, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars officials have not been able to gather with members of their communities to observe the true meaning of Memorial Day.
But on Monday, spectators from Bradford and Smethport will be treated to traditional parades complete with honor guards, current and former soldiers/sailors/Marines, first responders and their vehicles, cool cars, marching bands and so much more.
Parade participants should have some water handy, especially for marchers. Monday looks to be a beautiful but hot day.
In Bradford, the parade line up starts at Tops Supermarket on Main Street at 9:30 a.m. and the parade officially kicks off at 10:15 a.m.
A Memorial Day Service will follow after the parade. At the completion of the parade, backtrack on Corydon Street to Chambers Street for the service.
Organizers for the parades request there be no loud music and offer a reminder: It’s Memorial Day, a day when respect is shown for the fallen and those that have gone on before.
2022 PARADE LINEUP
Bradford City Fire Dept. Honor Guard, Fire Trucks, Police Escort and Colors
Mayor James McDonald and family
VFW Post 212 and Color Guard
American Legion Post 108
Grand Marshal, Don Langley, Vietnam Army Veteran, escorted by Tubby Colella in his 1966 Thunderbird Convertible
John Getz, VFW State Quartermaster, Adjutant and Past State Commander and
Ron Peters, Immediate Past State Commander (2020-2021) escorted by Pat Buccolini
Walking veterans, any service vehicles manned by veterans, veteran floats
Bradford Marching Owls with Director Marissa Golden playing “God Bless America”
Gretchen Henneman, USOA Miss Pennsylvania 2022
Rainee Wright, USOA Miss Philadelphia 2022
Kailee Peterson, Miss Bradford
Frances Sherman VFW Aux. President Amy Peterson and Chaplain Pat Crooks escorted by Loey Snyder
Frances Sherman VFW Aux. members escorted by Mark Peterson American Legion Post 108 Spencer White, Aux. 2022 Miss Poppy, DAV van driven by Steve Longnecker escorting DAV volunteers
Fretz Middle School Band with Director Chris Amidon playing “Highlands March” by Barry Ward
Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts
Bradford Girl Scouts
Bradford Regional Little League
Haver’s Hammers Wrestling Club
Bradford Township Fire Dept.
Wanderers Motorcycle Club
Smethport holds a Memorial Salute Program, which then forms the start to their parade.
At 9 a.m. Monday everyone will meet at the East Smethport War Monument on U.S. Route 6 (near Nittany) for a walk to Rose Hill Cemetery. A dedication for the new flagpole, donated by the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, and the VFW will take place. The walk will continue to the Vietnam Memorial on Willow Street.
After leaving the memorial, the Guard will form up in front of Lakeview Nursing Home on Willow Street for the start of the parade. A brief stop on the bridge on Mechanic Street for a Naval Salute, and then onto the library for a second flagpole dedication (donated by the above groups).
Many march in this parade and it is open to those who would like to walk the route. The route ends at the McKean County Courthouse where three wreaths, one for each organization, will be placed.
Post Commander Courtney Cole of the American Legion will deliver opening remarks before Jack Rosenwie delivers the invocation. Alvin Loveless will address the community briefly before the benediction.
All activities for Smethport are complete by 11:30 a.m.
Other area parades and activities taking place to honor the fallen include:
Eldred – Parade at 11 a.m., speaker C.C. Felker will be at the WWII Museum at 1 p.m.
Shinglehouse – American Legion Post #530 parade, 10 a.m. Monday
Coudersport – Parade at 11 a.m., services with full military honors at noon, guest speaker and luncheon to follow
St. Marys – Parade at 10 a.m. on Monday
Austin – Memorial Day celebration on May 28, Austin Dam Memorial Park, 5364 State Route 572 North.
