Community Corner

Winchester To Hold Memorial Day Parade on Monday

Winchester will honor its veterans in the town's long-standing parade.

Every year around this time, for more than three decades now, Barbara O’Connell dusts off her typewriter and makes up invitations for Winchester’s annual Memorial Day Parade.

She, along with the , helps organize the parade each year. O’Connell took on more responsibility in 2005 after her husband and military veteran, Ed, passed away.

“Veterans and Memorial Day are solemn times,” she said. “There’s a certain dignity when you honor those who died for our country.”

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The parade will kick-off from Monday morning at 9 a.m. From there, the procession, which will be led by World War II vet and Winchester resident, Sonny Swymer, and will also include, the VFW, the high school band, some local politicians and town officials, veterans and the police color guard. The parade will head down Main Street around the and to the .

"It's a chance to pay tribute to those who lost their lives," Swymer said. "It's so we don't forget those who gave their lives."

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“It's too acknowledge those that were in service," said Al Wile, the town's Veteran's agent and Vietnam Vet. "It's to honor the men who took the time out of their life to serve the country. It's a small gesture and it's a chance to thank people for that."

Once at the Post Office the procession will walk towards the to the World War I monument. At the monument, respects will be paid and the parade will continue their walk to the War Memorial located next to Town Hall, which is named in honor of Ed O’Connell. The monument pays respect to all of the town's veterans dating all the way back to the Civil War.

“It’s important to still have these memorials,” Barbara O’Connell said. “I don’t like to see our veterans forgotten. As long as I have the strength, I’m going to keep marching. We can’t forget history and forget those soldiers; it’s important we show our respect.”


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