Doylestown Salutes The Fallen With Memorial Day Parade, Ceremonies

DOYLESTOWN, PA — In a tradition dating back more than a century and a half, Doylestown honored its fallen heroes on Monday with a parade like no other.

Stretching from one end of town to the other, thousands joined this year's march in a tribute to the men and women who gave their all on the battlefields of history.

Local veterans led the parade, carrying the colors in remembrance of their fallen comrades and no doubt thinking about friends and loved ones they lost in war.

Their appearance brought sustained applause along the crowded parade route and a tear to the eye of Parade Marshal and U.S. Navy Veteran Chris Suessenguth.

"It was so moving to see our community rise up for our colors and rise up for our veterans," said Sussenguth, who experienced the special moment at the start of the parade as the color guard marched up Court Street.

From the Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum in Horsham. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

The Central Bucks High School West Marching Band.

Another highlight of the parade was the appearance by the Budweiser Clydesdales, the majestic team of horses pulling the iconic Budweiser wagon through the heart of Doylestown. It was a sight one doesn't see every day in town.

They came to Doylestown as part of the Folds of Honor campaign, which raises money to support the dependents of veterans and first responders.

All along the parade route, flags were everywhere, held in the hands of the youngest infant to the oldest veteran.

Veterans waved from floats, some wearing their military uniforms and decorations. And bands from throughout the Central Bucks School District performed patriotic music, including medleys featuring the songs of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Doylestown Fire Company No. 1 rolled through town with its antique Ahrens “Fox” Pumper. And the Village Improvement Association turned back the clocks with an appearance by Visiting Nurse Miss Munsey.

Numerous community groups and organizations also joined the march including the Kin Center and Main Street, the Lenape Valley Foundation, the League of Women Voters, the Republicans and Democrats, the Fitzpatrick School of Irish Dance, Roxy Therapy Dogs, the American Red Cross, the Town & Country Players, and Lighthouse Baptist Church.

The Tohickon Middle School Band.

United States Senator Bob Casey marches through Doylestown With State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tim Brennan.

Also joining the lineup were numerous Scouting and athletic organizations, including the Doylestown Rugby team, the Doylestown Athletic Association, Plumstead Softball, Camp Curiosity, and others.

Following the parade, veterans from throughout Central Bucks gathered at the Doylestown Cemetery to pay tribute to the fallen by laying wreaths, sounding taps, and offering prayers.

"These graves represent the resting places of many departed comrades who served in all of our
wars," said Staff Sergeant Dave Jacoby of the 111th Attack Wing at Biddle Air Force Base. "Wherever the body of a comrade lies, that ground is hallowed.

"Our presence here is in solemn commemoration of all these men and women and an expression of and our tribute to their devotion to duty, to their courageousness, to their patriotism," said Jacoby. "And by their service on land, on sea and in the air they have made us their debtors because in no small way they are responsible for our freedom today.

"Because of the efforts of our fallen brothers and sisters, the flag of our great nation still flies over the land of a free people. We are the land of the free because of the brave," he said.

The parade is organized by Doylestown Borough in conjunction with local veterans organizations. Serving as the parade marshal is U.S. Navy Veteran Chris Suessenguth, who served from 1977 to 1984.

(Photos by Jeff Werner)

Taps in the cemetery. (Photos by Jeff Werner)