Wilmington, De.—One of the oldest Memorial Day parades in America marked its 157th anniversary with the organizer saying, “We try to remember the reason why we’re here. It’s not really to celebrate, but it’s to commemorate those who gave their lives for our country.”
On May 30, 2024, hundreds of participants marched along Delaware Avenue to Soldiers and Sailors Monument Park, where a memorial service honored those who perished in America’s wars.
The event was organized by the Wilmington Memorial Day Committee, with John Flaherty, the executive director, providing insights into the parade’s long legacy.
Mr. Flaherty, a former member of the Delaware National Guard for six years, shared a personal connection to the cause; his older brother, a Second Lieutenant, lost his life in the Vietnam War on Nov. 4, 1967.
“The meaning of this event is to make sure that the wider population realizes that we’ve had many people die for their freedoms in this country,” Mr. Flaherty said. “And we want to make sure that they’re reminded of their freedoms that are guaranteed by the death of so many soldiers. So, we work hard to put this on every year, not only to remind the public but also to commemorate those that have fallen in defense of our country.”
Mr. Flaherty has been involved with the Wilmington Memorial Day Committee since 1995.
Among the honored guests was Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, who served as the Grand Marshal of the parade. Mayor Purzycki received recognition for his efforts in restoring the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, erected in 1871, just four years after the parade’s inception. Now the lights are put on the Monument.
The post-parade service featured U.S. Marine Corps Captain James Thornton, an 80-year-old veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Thornton shared the story of his fellow Marine, Second Lieutenant John Bobo, who sacrificed his life to save his comrades in Vietnam.
“Combat is a frightening reality when you’re first confronted with it. But every soldier and marine make a conscious decision to do the job they were sent there to do,” Mr. Thornton reflected. “Certainly, Memorial Day is a time for us to honor the countless number of men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country.”
Mr. Thornton said the two toughest days for him each year are the Marine Corps birthday on Nov. 10, and Memorial Day. “On both of these days, I give thought to the many friends from OCS (Army Officer Candidate School), and the Marines under my command that were lost in battle. Even if they did not perform extraordinary feats of bravery, they are still heroes in every sense of the word. Some of the troops under me were just 18 years old when they lost their life in combat.”
With tears in his eyes, Mr. Thornton continued: “I struggled with the guilt I felt, why God chose to save me and not them. Unlike me, they never got the chance to come home, start a new life, get married, have children, and just enjoy life for what it is. It took some time for that guilt to lessen.”
Reflecting on the broader impact of war, Mr. Thornton emphasized the toll it takes on families and communities. “The heroes themselves are rewarded immediately as they get to look into the face of their Creator. But it is the number of family and friends that are left with years of grieving their loss that truly hurts,” he said.
Over an almost 250-year history, going back to the Revolutionary War, all the way up to the reign of terror, Mr. Thornton found that “we have lost an astounding 1,304,447 men and women. If you multiply that by the mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, children, and friends, we have probably talked about some 13 to 15 million people that are deeply impacted every time Memorial Day comes, that certainly sheds a different light on what this thing is all about.”
Mr. Thornton concluded: “Hopefully someday, God is almighty, will bestow upon us a worldwide peace so that future generations won’t have to mourn the loss of more men and women.”
The parade also saw the participation of various government officials and candidates, underscoring the event’s significance in honoring those who served. Delaware Gov. John Carney expressed the importance of Memorial Day in recognizing the sacrifices made for the country’s freedom.
“Memorial Day is really about paying tribute to the men and women who were killed in action and sacrificed greatly for the country,” he said. “I think there’s a greater recognition that you know, there are wars happening around the globe. And there’s a greater recognition of the people who protect us and who serve and ultimately those who make that ultimate sacrifice.”
Thomas Kenney, chair of the Wilmington Memorial Day Committee, highlighted the enduring importance of patriotism and remembrance.
“It is paramount that we remember and honor those who gave their lives so that this country can be the way it is. We wouldn’t have all these liberties and freedoms,” Mr. Kenney remarked. “We carry on a tradition of 157 years of remembering those who gave their lives so we could live the way we do.” He has been in the position for the last 12 years. All their members are volunteers.
As the parade concluded, with thoughts turning to the future, attendees echoed Captain Thornton’s sentiment: “God bless our heroes. God bless America.”
Civil War General John Alexander Logan founded Memorial Day. He issued an order on May 5, 1868, designating May 30 as a Memorial Day to hold solemn ceremonies to honor those who had fallen during the War. Ever since May 30, 1868, New Castle County residents have continued to hold ceremonies in accordance with General Logan’s order.
