Was Canceling the Memorial Day Parade a Good Decision?

Some Beverly residents - and those from across the country - have criticized a decision to cancel this year's downtown Memorial Day parade.

Another traditional Memorial Day parade - in Beverly Farms - continues annually. But the parade that typically is held downtown was cancelled this year because Veterans Agent Jerry Guilebbe said there is a lack of participants. Plus, those that did plan to participate are old and have trouble walking the parade route.

One veteran told Fox 25 that the crowds that lined Cabot Street earlier this month to cheer on American Idol finalist Angie Miller reminded him of the size of the crowds that used to turn out and cheer for veterans.

The decision to cancel the parade just weeks after hosting a parade for Miller prompted one San Diego news website to go as far as to call Beverly the "worst place in America."

Instead of a parade, the Memorial Day ceremony consisted of a "professional gathering" at Veterans Memorials at Odell Park where participants formed up on nearby Park Street in front of Beverly Depot and entered the park.

In a letter sent to Beverly Patch,  Mark A. Hamilton of Madison, N.C. said: "Beverly government officials' inability to prioritize has made your town the laughing stock of our country on this sacred holiday."

Do you agree? Was canceling the parade a good decision? Are there other ways the city could honor fallen soldiers?