Longtime parade marcher saddened by Memorial Day turnout

Dear Editor:

I celebrated an anniversary on Memorial Day. It was the 35^th year of my membership in the American Legion and the 35^th anniversary of the first Memorial Day parade that I marched in — in Wilton, New Hampshire. I remember that I felt that I made some vets jealous because I was wearing my Navy dress uniform. Well, some things do change and they will sell you almost anything these days as I still march in uniform.

I enlisted from Wilton, and in September of 1966 we endured a flare fire onboard USS Oriskany. We lost 44 men in service to their country on that day. During the Vietnam War we lost many brave servicemen.

My question is this: Do so few remember that so many gave so much to give you the country you live in today? I was surprised at how few attended the parade last Monday. The thought crossed my mind that there were more in the parade than there were parade viewers.

Since I joined the Legion I have marched in every Memorial Day parade with the exception of one. I had an operation on my knee and I couldn’t bend it to walk. Within the last two years I have joined the Canton Honor Guard to attend the funerals of veterans. I do this to honor those who gave service to their country.

All gave some and some gave all. For those who could not honor those who died in service to their country, I hope you enjoyed your day given to you by your servicemen and women who gave their lives in service to their country. I missed marching in Canton.

Thank you to those vets who marched and those who attended the parade and services at the cemetery.

Sincerely,

Eric Borman

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