By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – You could feel the excitement building.
Little children squirmed on grandparents' laps. The sound of bands practicing drifted across the river from where floats, marchers and convertibles, with tops down, gathered on the grounds of the former YMCA. Memorial Day 2007 was about to be made official with the start of the annual parade.
All squirming stopped, as police from three departments with lights flashing on their motorcycles mesmerized the children. The parade was about to begin.
Each person, watching and participating in the Memorial Day parade and service at Silverbrook Cemetery seemed to have their own reason for being there.
"It's kind of shocking that it came so fast. I have marched in every Memorial Day parade since my freshman year. I graduated this week. This is my last parade," Danny Palmer, 17, said.
For Pastor Dennis R. Giden Sr., it was a family affair. It was also a way for his Bethlehem Baptist Church to be involved in the community.
"We thought we wanted to make ourselves known to the community and this seemed the perfect way to do that and to honor all those men and women, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom," Pastor Giden said.
Sons, Dennis Jr. and Lawrence marched with a banner quoting Second Corinthians 3: 17 about the connection between faith and liberty.
Carmen Harpole and Taylor Long, Post 26's Little Miss Poppy's, rode in a bright red convertible and waved to friends, family and parade watchers all along the route. They memorized the poem, "In Flanders Field" to recite at both the Sunday and Monday services.
The bright red Apple Festival engine spouting steam brought shouts of glee from the children. Those, who worked on the float, thought about how much Randy Lowe, their friend and partner would have enjoyed this ride.
Most of all there was talk of those who had served, are currently serving and who will serve to keep this country free.
"We are reminded by recent events that victory over tyranny never lasts. We are inspired by the millions throughout our history who believed that freedom is worth fighting for and dying for," said Neil Nitz, State Representative and this year's Grand Marshall.
As the celebrants left the cemetery for family picnics and the planting of flowers, a lone Sheriff's deputy stood head bowed at the grave of a Korean War Veteran. After he stood still, with hands folded for several minutes, he stood at attention and saluted.
This one simple gesture of respect and honor seemed to capture the meaning of Memorial Day, best of all.