Ironton’s Memorial Day Parade
To remember to honor and to celebrate,
To decorate the graves of those who fought…
Ironton parades through most of the middle of town—
Bands, floats, horses, clowns…
But most of all, people—
People of all types and ages.
Used to be said, if you were able,
You marched.
Whole classes of school children marched.
Men alongside the streets took off their hats,
And everyone put a hand to heart.
I remember the hours of preparation:
With chicken wire and tissue on trucks,
The band practices and marches,
Or, even Brownies getting scout cheers and songs right…
To ride in a squad car, a fire truck or an Army-Navy Duck…
Just to be in The Parade.
Now people come from everywhere to see our parade,
Our Parade…longest lasting…and proud.
May the graves be decorated,
The flag flown free;
May the flowers thrown on the River
Say thank you for liberty…
And may Ironton ever be able
To march for memory.
© Copyright, Daphne Yvonne Bradshaw, 2000.
All rights reserved.
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