Delco will mark Memorial Day with various events
The following ceremonies, services, parades and other civic events are held around Delaware County today, May 29, in observance of Memorial Day:
ALDAN
American Legion Aldan Memorial Post 1000 invites the public to a memorial service at 10:45 a.m. The service is held at the War Memorial at Woodlawn Avenue and Providence Road. Lunch follows the service at the post, located at the foot
of Bonsall Avenue.
ASTON, MIDDLETOWN
VFW Bonaventure-Clark Post 6613 and American Legion Killen-Miles Post 87 hold their Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. beginning with a parade from Ahearn’s on Mount Road that proceeds to the monuments at New and Mount roads, Aston.
At the monuments, Father Michael A. Okon, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church, Lenni, gives the invocation, followed by the Penncrest High School Band performing the national anthem. James Murphy, past commander of the 7th District VFW is the master of ceremonies. Following an address, the combined color guard and firing squad of Post 6613 and Post 87 salutes the dead and Taps is played. Father Gerg Wilson, pastor of Resurrection Episcopal Church gives the benediction.
Following the ceremony at the monuments, the parade reforms and marches to Resurrection Church Cemetery for the conclusion of services. Also participating in the parade and ceremonies are Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts Troop 4 of St. Francis de Sales, and the fire companies of Rocky Run, Chester Heights and Aston.
Middletown Township holds its annual Memorial Day ceremony at the township building, 27 N. Pennell Road, with a service at 8 a.m. Bonaventure-Clark Post 6613 officiates the service.
CHADDS FORD, CONCORD, BETHEL
American Legion Brandywine Post 811, 1082 Bethel Road, Garnet Valley, invites the public to Memorial Day services and parades around western Delaware County.
• Brandywine Baptist Church holds Memorial Day services at 8:45 a.m.
• The Concordville parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Springwater Plaza and marches to Elam Methodist Church for services.
• Chester-Bethel Methodist Church holds services at 10:30 a.m.
• The Bethel Parade will begin at 11:15 a.m. at Briggs Auction on Naaman’s Creek Road and marches to the Siloam Methodist Church for services.
COLLINGDALE
Collingdale Borough hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. in front of the Collingdale Community Center, MacDade Boulevard and Clifton Avenue. The ceremony features members of the VFW, American Legion, Vietnam veterans and Collingdale Fire Co. #1 and #2. Borough organizations and residents place memorial wreaths in front of the All Wars Memorial and the Police and Fire Memorial. All residents are urged to attend.
LANSDOWNE
Lansdowne American Legion Post 65 and Lansdowne Business and Professional Association co-sponsor the borough’s Memorial Day parade, launching from Lansdowne and Lacrosse avenues at 9 a.m. (rain or shine), proceeding north on Lansdowne to Essex Avenue and on to the Penn Wood High School field and World War monuments for ceremonies with veterans. This year’s observances commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I. All veterans and active service members are invited to march with the American Legion Post in the parade. For information, call the post at 610-623-3338.
The community is invited to participate in the 11th annual Lansdowne Memorial Day 5K before the borough’s observances at 7:45 a.m. For information and registration, visit www.lansdownesfuture.org/5k or pick up a brochure at the LEDC office, 23 S. Lansdowne Ave.
MARPLE, NEWTOWN TOWNSHIPS
American Legion Post 805, 2340 West Chester Pike, Broomall, holds its annual Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. (rain or shine). The event starts at Malin Road and West Chester Pike in Broomall, then heads east on West Chester Pike to Post 805 for a ceremony. The ceremony is expected to begin at 10:45.
World War II Navy veteran Henry Ryder is the Grand Marshal. The parade features veterans from the Post 805, VFW Post 7390 and the Marine Corps League Detachment 741. The Marple Newtown High School Band, Paxon Hollow Middle School Band, Boy Scouts, public officials, fire companies, and ambulance corps from Broomall and Newtown Square participate in the day’s activities.
The public is invited to bring a flag, chair and show
their support at the parade and to attend the ceremony. Other ceremonies in the area of Post 805 include an 8:45 a.m. ceremony at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Monument, 4599 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, one at 11:30 a.m. Veterans Memorial Park on Lawrence Road, Broomall, conducted by VFW Post 7390, Please be prompt as the ceremonies are approximately 15 minutes long.
MEDIA
The borough
observes Memorial Day with a parade launching at 10 a.m. from State and Edgmont streets. The parade includes Penncrest High School Marching Band, veteran’s organizations, local officials and student groups. The route travels west on State Street, right on Orange Street and right on Front Street. A ceremony is held at about 10:30 with keynote speaker Ralph Galati.
A longtime Delaware County resident, Galati is a 1966 St. James High School graduate. His military service in the Air Force includes numerous deployments and 14 months as a prisoner during the Vietnam War. He completed his active duty in 1978, and continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve until 1981. Galati then had more than four decades of professional work in varied areas of technology, management and training for large international organizations and educational institutions.
The public is encouraged to attend the Memorial Day event and recognize the contributions of those who “gave the last full measure of devotion” to their country.
RIDLEY PARK
The borough’s Memorial Day observance is held 10 a.m. at Veterans Park, Ridley Avenue between Sellers and Swarthmore avenues.
The program includes: Introduction, council president Bob Berger; Pledge of Allegiance, Cub Scout Troop 264; singing of the national anthem, Kyleigh Shea Bleacher; invocation, Jonathan Mock, pastor of the Ridley Park Baptist Church; welcome, Mayor Hank Eberle; keynote speaker, the Rev. Michael Smith. Comments and reading citations: State Rep Nick Miccarelli; State Sen. Tom McGarrigle; Congressman Patrick Meehan; placing of wreaths.
Raymond Richards plays Taps; Father John Flanagan, pastor of St.Madeline Catholic Church, gives the Benediction; and Bleacher sings “He’s My Hero.”
Refreshments are served in the borough hall Community Room by the Ridley Park Seniors immediately following the program.
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP
American Legion Post 777, 137 Walter St., Crum Lynne, hosts its annual Memorial Day Parade with participants lining up at 9:30 a.m. Marching begins at 10. The route starts and ends at the post grounds, with a short service at the post monument following the march. The upstairs hall is open for refreshments and hot dogs. All are welcome to participate.
RUTLEDGE
Harold Paul Saks AMVETS Post 118, Morton, assists Rutledge Mayor Kevin Cunningham in a short memorial service at noon to honor those members of the U.S. Armed Forces who died in the line of duty. The ceremony features Taps and the flying of the American flag at half staff.
SPRINGFIELD
Springfield American Legion holds this year’s Memorial Day parade today. The parade starts in Veterans Memorial Park near Springfield Road and Saxer Avenue at 10 a.m., rain or shine. The parade proceeds down Saxer Avenue and concludes at the township building, 50 Powell Road.
This year’s ceremony honors the U.S. Army Specialist Michael J. Smith, killed in action in Iraq in 2005 at 24-years-old. Several members of the Smith family are marching in the parade.
The Legion welcomes any uniform member of the Military, Reserves, National Guard, Police, Fire Company, Ambulance Corps and Scouts to march in the parade. For information, call Post Commander at 610544-8900.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish celebrates Mass on Memorial Day at 8 a.m. to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States. For information, call Legion Vice Commander Bill Clark at 610-505-9970.
Springfield Athletic Association holds its annual one-mile walk in honor of past members who have passed away after years of support and involvement in the community and organization, held before the start of the township’s Memorial Day observances. The walk (rain or shine) begins at 9 a.m. at Halderman Field and proceeds for one mile to the front of Springfield High School. The walk is timed to not interfere with other township Memorial Day observances. The walk makes special mention of Specialist Smith, who was an SAA member.
UPPER DARBY
Upper Darby Detachment of the Marine Corps League starts its Memorial Day ceremonies at 8 a.m. in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill. It includes a wreath placing ceremony for U.S. Marine Cpl. John Freeman Mackie, the first Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Civil War. There are three other graveside ceremonies in Arlington, followed by three more in St. Peter & Paul Cemetery. The detachment then proceeds to Montrose Cemetery for a joint ceremony with the American Legion Post 214 at 10:30 a.m. The final ceremony of the day is at noon in front of the detachment home, 1026 Providence Road, Secane, followed by an open house. with the second floor museum open.