Be sure to honor our heroes
By Bill Gouveia - Sun Chronicle Columnist
This column originally ran in the Sun Chronicle on Monday, May 27, 2019
When observing Memorial Day this year, here’s hoping you get to your local parade. It’s not always as much fun as the cookout later in the day, but the meaning and the tradition is something we all should share and experience.
My wife and I try and make our local parade in Norton each year, though sometimes life gets in the way. When possible we bring our grandsons, though they live a few towns over. This is partly an excuse to steal them away from their parents for a few extra hours (our granddaughters live in Delaware or we would steal them too), but more to show them the pride we have in our community and the importance of honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Now to be sure, Norton’s event isn’t exactly the Macy’s Parade. I don’t believe there has ever been a giant balloon. Sometimes there isn’t even a marching band, as things have changed over the years when it comes to music programs in the school system and the extracurricular habits of kids in general. It is hardly a high budget extravaganza, there are no dancing acts, and it doesn’t last very long.
Over the years our kids marched in it. Usually it was with the scouts or some other similar organization. It’s always fun watching the adults try to keep the kids together, an exercise similar to herding kittens.
I’ve marched as a town official from time to time, and managed to get through each one without being pelted with anything. There are lots of fire trucks and police vehicles with sirens screaming, which delights many kids and scares the living daylights out of our youngest grandson Tommy. There are also lots of antique vehicles and motorcycles which are always popular.
But the most important participants in the parade are the veterans who march to honor their brothers and sisters-in-arms who lost their lives in service to America. On this important day, they take center stage to represent those who went before them and made it possible for all of us to live the lives we so enjoy today.
They are of all ages, from all wars and conflicts. The World War II veterans are becoming scarce as the inevitable march of time catches up to them, but some manage to be there even if they have to ride in vehicles of honor. Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan — vets from the era of those conflicts join with other service members to make sure we never forget the price paid for our precious freedom.
During much of the year they are simply our friends, neighbors, business owners, and family members. We know them for other reasons, love them for other reasons.
But on days like Memorial Day, they are recognized as heroes representing other heroes. They are honored for honoring those who they served with and followed.
These local parades are so important. They reflect our values, who we are as a community. No matter how small the crowds might be, your presence there makes a difference.
Thank you to all our fallen heroes. Our parades may be small, but our gratitude is sincere.
Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.
