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By: Erin Smith
The Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy held a Memorial Day parade on Wednesday morning on the parade grounds of the school to honor the memory of those who served their country and paid with the ultimate sacrifice.
A small crowd of parents, grandparents and veterans gathered to watch the parade and ceremony.
When asked what Memorial Day means to them Veterans Robert Autry, James McDowell, and Charles Wright paused a moment and gave it some thought.
“Well, it means a whole lot,” said James McDowell who served in the Korean War.
“The ones who didn’t make it back, I think about them,” said Charles Wright who served in the Vietnam War.
All three, along with PBLA Headmaster Roland McKoy reviewed the Cadets.
The ceremony included the sound off, the adjutant call, drill maneuvers and presentation of the colors.
Each Battalion represented the veterans from various conflicts. Those conflicts represented included World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Global War on Terror.
The drills were followed by the presentation of the colors and the playing of the national anthem.
The purpose of the ceremony was to pay homage to fallen service members.
A brief history of Memorial Day was shared with those present. Memorial Day was officially established by US Congress in 1971.
In May 1966, the city of Waterloo, New York was established as being the first place to celebrate Memorial Day. It began in 1865 as Decoration Day.
Gen. John D Murray promoted the idea and plans were eventually developed for a more complete celebration. Decoration Day was a time when folks would decorate the graves of Confederate and Union soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War.
Following World War I, Decoration Day became Memorial Day.
Wednesday’s ceremony was ended with a 21 gun salute and the playing of Taps and Amazing Grace. A final passing review closed out the ceremony.
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