Memorial day parade honors generations of soldiers’ sacrifices, those currently overseas

Bruce Roscoe did not let the Monday morning rain keep him from attending the annual Memorial Day parade in downtown Mount Pleasant.

The dean of students came for two reasons: to honor the nation’s fallen soldiers and to watch his son perform in the Mount Pleasant High School Marching Band.

“My family comes out every year to honor the veterans and recognize the contributions people have made over the years,” Roscoe said. “It’s a great reminder to people of the sacrifices individuals have made throughout the years
for our country.”

The parade started at the corner of Broadway and Arnold streets and marched toward Main Street, where American flags were placed on crosses representing wars with US involvement.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3033, women’s auxiliary groups and the Mount Pleasant High School marching band kept step in the honorific procession.

Roy Thomas, an Iraqi war veteran and leader of his marine unit, marched with the color guard.

Thomas said his unit took a lot of casualties and lost many brave men during his service overseas.

“This day is a day to sit and remember all my fallen buddies that I’ve served with that aren’t with us today, and everyone else from prior wars that did the same thing,” Thomas said.

He said he plans on marching in the parade ever year in rain, sleet or snow.

The MPHS Marching Band performed patriotic music as many audience members waved miniature flags.

Not “just another holiday”

Iraqi war veteran Jason Huss held VFW colors for the post during the parade.

While in combat, Huss helped protect a military base from insurgents setting off explosives in Balad, Iraq.

Huss said he enjoyed marching in the parade and wished more people would attend.

“All those men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and a lot of people tend to forget about it and think its just another holiday,” Huss said.

After the parade, participants headed to Riverside Cemetery, the Vietnam Memorial at Island Park, Calvary Cemetery and finally to Memorial Gardens to pay their respects.

“Its very important to remember all the veterans who died and the men who were killed in action,” said Ivan Ayris, the parade’s Grand Marshal.