Memorial Day traditions

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 30, 2022

A Boy Scout places a flower at the grave of a former U.S. servicemember.

Ray Coe, former scoutmaster for BSA Troop 31 in Chadds Ford, is the Vietnam veteran grand marshal at the Kennett Square parade.

Memorial Day traditions continued Monday with a ceremony at Brandywine Baptist Church in Chadds Ford Township and a parade in Kennett Square.

Uncle Sam takes a stroll up E. State Street as part of the parade.

The ceremony at the church kept its format of Boy Scouts from Troop 31, bringing in the colors, a retelling of how Memorial Day came to be — how it began as a way to remember the Civil War fallen with Decoration Day, which was later renamed. There was also an honor guard salute to all the fallen. In addition, the scouts and other youth placed flowers at the graves of former service members. Those graves had been previously marked with U.S. flags.

Visitors to the Kennett parade saw bands from both Kennett and Unionville High schools, honor guards, veterans, and current military personnel. They also saw (and heard) the Eagles’ Pep Band and Uncle Sam.

A Boy Scout places a flower at the grave of a former U.S. servicemember.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.