The annual Leesburg Memorial Day parade was held Monday, May 31. InkFreeNews photos by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

Bellamy Smith, age 3, shows her Memorial Day spirit while waiting for the parade to start.

LEESBURG — The Leesburg community held their annual Memorial Day parade Monday, May 31.

The streets were lined with spectators well ahead of the 10:30 a.m. start time.

Leesburg Town Council President Tom Moore gave the opening speech at the town hall in which he thanked Sue Charlton for her work each year in organizing the parade.

“Every community has their unsung heroes,” Moore said. “And Sue…thank you, you are certainly foremost one of ours.”

The parade included a long line of entries, featuring police and fire vehicles, tractors, youth groups, church groups and a veterans’ float.

Immediately following the parade, a ceremony was held at the Leesburg Cemetery to pay tribute to those who served their country and fell in the line of duty.

Mike Beezley, pastor of both Clunette United Methodist Church and Atwood Aldersgate United Methodist Church, spoke at the ceremony.

Beezley reminded those in attendance that the American flag flies for all of us, not just some of us and that the “brave men and women who risked and gave all did so for all of us, not just some of us, not just the ones who agree with us.”

“Even as we are so divided these days, I hope we can at least agree on this…that those who have sacrificed for us are worthy to be memorialized and honored,” Beezley said. “How will we live to honor how they lived and died? Our greatest act of remembrance in how they died is how we choose to live.”

The veterans’ float included signs taped to the frame bearing the names of veterans who have passed in recent years.

Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes passed out treats at the parade.

The Clunette UMC float

Scout Troop 729 performed the raising of the flag prior to the start of the parade.

The parade included floats and groups of walkers.

Lineup for the parade began at 10:15 Monday morning, May 31.

Local pastor Mike Beezley spoke at the Memorial ceremony at the cemetery following the parade.

America’s national colors: white represents purity and innocence; red represents hardiness and valor; and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Leesburg Town Council President Tom Moore gave the opening speech prior to the parade.