Blandford held a Memorial Day parade and ceremony yesterday, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Douglas Emo of the American Legion, who has organized the remembrance for the past twelve years, served as master of ceremonies.
At the ceremony following the parade, Marc Lach?rité, Jake Thayer, Sierra Russell, Charlotte Kazalski and Nathan Crane, winners of the Memorial Day essay contest, read their poems and essays on what Memorial Day means to them. T-ballers and Little Leaguers then led residents in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Douglas Emo gave a moving tribute to two World War II veterans, Phillip R. Hansen and Ellis B. Hillgrove, Jr., who both passed away in 2011. Emo called forward the Boy Scout Honor Guard to present two flags that had been flown over Blandford and retired in the names of the veterans, saying there was “no higher honor” that could be given them. Emo then presented the flags to their families.
Music for the ceremony included Peter Curro and Kyle Mangini, who sang “This Land is Your Land,” in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie and the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Also performing three selections were the Blandford Choir, who ended with the national anthem. Rev. Brian Care gave the closing prayer.
