Leesburg 4-H Club members at the Memorial Day parade.

LEESBURG — The Leesburg community held their annual Memorial Day parade Monday, May 29.

Leesburg residents and visitors lined the brick streets well ahead of the 10:30 a.m. start time. Some watched from the front porches of their homes while others set up lawn chairs along the sidewalks.

A flag raising ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 729 took place near Leesburg Town Hall before the parade began.

Tom Moore, vice-president of Leesburg Town Council, gave the opening speech, which included the history of the town of Leesburg.

Moore praised Leesburg resident Sue Charlton for her work in organizing the parade each year. According to Moore, “Sue is the number one, two and three reasons this parade is such a success.”

Immediately following the parade, many veterans and residents gathered at the Leesburg Cemetery for a ceremony to pay tribute to those who served their country and fell in the line of duty. Clunette United Methodist Church Pastor Mike Beezley spoke at the ceremony, sharing a message of unity.

“We are here to remember the men and women who gave of themselves for all Americans. They did not give of themselves for some of the states or to preserve liberty for some of the citizens – they fought and gave of themselves for all Americans, even those whom they disagreed with or who voted differently than them,” Beezley stated, adding, “It’s better to find common ground despite our differences and be together, united.”