The Newburgh Free Academy ROTC was among the participants
NEWBURGH – The community of Newburgh gathered to honor veterans
and active duty servicemen and women during the annual Memorial Day Parade
on Saturday.
The holiday has special meaning for Leroy Von Amber of Marlborough, who
came to Broadway to watch the marchers and pay his respects to those who
gave their lives for the country.
“[Memorial Day] means a lot,” he said. “I lost a lot
of nephews, a lot of family. You have got to come out and support the
veterans. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t
be free.”
Dozens watched as school bands, firemen, veterans groups and public officials
marched down Broadway in the City of Newburgh.
Eugene Watkins, grand marshal of the parade, arrived in a white sedan
adorned with American flag decals.
The parade include the Newburgh Free Academy ROTC, musket-firing 124th
New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment re-enactors, police and fire personnel,
fire trucks, and marching bands.
Parade watchers shared their thoughts on what Memorial Day means to them.
“It’s a day for cookouts, great weather, showing love for
the veterans who fought for us and our freedoms, and for coming together,”
said Newburgh resident Robert Waitley.
Alyssa Dickerson, also from Newburgh, said Memorial Day means “celebrating
our veterans and their dedicated service to America.”
