Memorial Day Marches Through Newtown In Remembrance Of The Fallen

NEWTOWN, PA — From the solitude of the Newtown Cemetery to Veterans Plaza on historic State Street, Taps split the morning air as Newtown remembered the nation’s fallen heroes.

On Monday morning, the town’s Memorial Day Parade stepped off from the Newtown Business Commons pausing first at the Newtown Cemetery where veterans from American Legion Post 440 rendered honors and fired salutes at the gravesite of Morell Smith, who died fighting for his country in Oct. 1918 during World War I, and at the gravesite of Warrant Officer William H. McDonnell, a member of the 120th Assault Helicopter Company who died in Vietnam in 1969.

Salutes to the fallen at the Newtown Cemetery. (photos by Jeff Werner)

Rejoining the parade on Washington Avenue, the veterans next paused at the World War I monument in front of the Newtown Library Company, where they laid wreaths and saluted the men and women who gave their lives in the cause of freedom.

As the town remembered its fallen heroes on Monday, they waved flags and cheered as local veterans led the march through town bearing the nation’s colors and looking sharp in their military uniforms.

Escorted through town by Newtown Borough Police Chief James Sabath, a Color Guard made up of local veterans led the march followed by Post 440 Commander Bill Harper, Chaplain Brian Mills and a parade of local veterans walking and riding the parade route.

Grand Marshal U.S. Army veteran Dave Matthews, a 51-year member of American Legion Post 440.

The Council Rock High School North Marching Band.

The Newtown Fire and Emergency Services.

Joining the veterans for the parade was the award-winning Council Rock High School North Marching Band, which performed a musical salute to the U.S.Armed Services as they marched through town with flags twirling and instruments playing.

The band was followed by the Newtown Fire Association, the volunteers marching by in their snappy dress uniforms, followed by a parade of fire trucks.

Local politicians also joined the parade, including State Rep. Perry Warren, Mayor John Burke and Newtown Township Supervisors Dennis Fisher and Kyle Davis, who marched with the veterans.

The parade also included local Scouting organizations, the Council Rock Newtown Baseball Association, the Newtown Rotary Club, the 1st Volunteers from Crossing Community Church, the Newtown Ambulance Squad, American Legion Post 440 baseball team; military vehicles; and much more.

At the Newtown Borough Hall, festively decorated in red, white and blue bunting, the parade paused for a brief Memorial Day ceremony.

The veterans led the gathering in prayer, welcomed the public to the town’s Memorial Day observance and laid a wreath at Veterans Plaza followed by the playing of Taps.

Following the ceremony, the parade reformed and continued its march south on State Street and west on Centre and the Richboro Road before concluding at the Post home on Linden Avenue.

(Photos by Jeff Werner)