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 gravesites of David Lownes and Morell Smith.

Lownes was born in 1949 on the family farm in Newtown Township. He attended Council Rock graduating in 1969. After graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. U.S. Army First Class David Lownes was killed in action in Vietnam on May 1, 1970. At only 20 years old he gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country - his life.

Salutes are given at the Newtown Cemetery to U.S. Army First Class David Lownes who was killed in action in Vietnam. (photo by Jeff Werner)

Members of the Lownes family attended the morning remembrance. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

A member of the Council Rock North Marching Band plays Taps during remembrance ceremonies for David Lownes and Morell Smith. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Firing salutes at the Newtown Cemetery. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Veterans remember the nation's fallen at the Newtown Cemetery. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

They also paused at the grave of Morell Smith, who died fighting for his country in Oct. 1918 during World War I. The Newtown American Legion Post bears his name in memory of his sacrifice.

“Though these flowers may wither, the spirit for which they were intended will endure until the end of time,” said John Houck, American Legion Post Commander, who joined senior vice commander Kyle Davis and Chaplain Brian Mills in placing a wreath on the two graves.

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 a wreath 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 Houck, Chaplain Mills and a parade of local veterans and riding the parade route.

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 Council Rock High School North Marching Band. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Veteran Jack Erickson with Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Veteran Skip Scarborough. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Salutes to the fallen at the World War I Memorial at the Newtown Library Company.

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. They were followed by the Newtown Ambulance Squad.

Local politicians also joined the march, including Mayor John Burke and members of the Newtown Borough Council and the Township Board of Supervisors.

The parade also included local Scouting organizations, the Council Rock Newtown Baseball Association, the 1st Volunteers from Crossing Community Church, American Legion Post 440 baseball team; military vehicles; Broken Arrow Ranch; the Hibernians; 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. The guest speaker was Bucks County Director of Veterans Adair’s Matthew Allen.

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

Newtown Fire Rescue.

The Newtown Strake ready for its vintage baseball game.