Grand marshal selected for Lincoln Memorial Day Parade
LINCOLN – David Sale may be one of the most modest grand marshals the Lincoln Memorial Day Parade has ever had.
In his nearly 30 years of running the parade, Sale’s goal was always for the planning committee to pick a veteran to be the grand marshal. For this year’s parade, Sale came up with a name for the committee, which agreed. This particular gentleman refused, and then he told Sale he’d reconsidered and would be thrilled to hold the position.
Little did Sale know that there were workings in the background to name Sale himself grand marshal. Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond called Sale into his office and asked him to serve in the role.
Sale demurred, arguing that he’s not a veteran, but Almond insisted, “There would not be a parade had it not been for your diligence over the years,” Sale said.
And so for the first time, Sale will be the grand marshal of the Lincoln Memorial Day Parade, which starts at 11 a.m. on Monday.
It begins by the CVS at the corner of Reservoir Avenue and Smithfield Avenue, goes north on Smithfield Avenue and takes a right onto Walker Street, ending at the Saylesville Fire Department. The route is just over a mile.
While Sale has never been in the parade before, he sees the end of the parade once he’s set up and loves observing “the cheers, the happiness, the kids, [and] the families all along Smithfield Avenue.” He notices people setting up early in the morning to watch the parade and holding cookouts afterward.
The parade will feature the Lincoln Police Honor Guard, Providence Police Mounted Command, Lincoln High School Band, bagpipers, fire trucks, Lincoln Little League, National Guard, boy scouts and girl scouts, Rhode Island Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums, Boys & Girls Club of Cumberland-Lincoln, Shriners, Central Falls High School color guard and marching band, Johnny Lightning Race Club, Kats Dance Centre & Performing Arts, and Tony the Dancing Cop.
Sale, who retired last year from his job as facilities manager for the Town of Lincoln, said the elected officials slated to walk include Sen. Jack Reed, Congressman David Cicilline, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Central Falls Mayor James Diossa and North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi.
He expects upwards of 8,000 or 10,000 people to turn out for the parade.
Before the parade, at 10 a.m., there will be a wreathlaying ceremony in front of the Saylesville Fire Station, a dedication to both the veterans and the memorial. After the parade, all attendees and participants are invited to the fire station for free hot dogs, which Twin River is donating.
The parade planning committee also includes Patty and Eddie Fox, Dick DeMasie, Vivian Gardner, Lois Moore, George Hadley and Gregory Fox. Sale also noted that Almond has been there for the committee to make sure they have whatever they need.
The parade is run entirely by donations and fundraisers, such as pasta suppers and raffles.
Sale said of why he has enjoyed doing this for veterans for so many years, “To see the smile on their faces is what’s rewarding, and to know that we took this day to remember the military.”