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Partly Cloudy Community pays tribute to fallen heroes
Memorial Day in Baldwin featured a massive parade, followed by a moving ceremony, all held on a beautiful day to remember the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our freedoms.
The festivities kicked off shortly before 10 a.m. on May 25 as veterans, school children, volunteers and community groups walked down Grand Avenue.
The parade was followed by a service at Silver Lake Park where Dave Marshall, a World War II veteran and Baldwin resident since the 1960s, was honored as grand marshal. Marshall sat in the backseat of a blue convertible during the parade, waving to the hundreds of people who lined the streets.
Baldwin American Legion Post 246 organized the day’s events and Al Ficarola, the post’s commander, served as moderator for the solemn ceremony. He highlighted the various wars and conflicts that Americans have fought in over the years and said “the goal is still the same for our veterans. It’s for love of country, for freedom and liberty.”
Patriotic songs were performed, including Maggie Green’s rendition of the “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful” in which the large crowd sung along in a somber tone.
Various veteran and community groups honored the fallen by placing wreaths near the flagpole in Silver Lake Park.
