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05/26/2021 08:15 AMThere won’t be a parade, but this Memorial Day, the real intent and import of the day won’t be prevented by the waning pandemic, with all of the usual commemorations taking place on the green beginning at 10:30 a.m. led by VFW Post 7666.
Post Commander Larry Santamaria said that while canceling the parade was a decision that had to be made months ago, when pandemic-related restrictions were still very much in effect, participation by school bands, the National Guard, the boy scouts, along with other local organizations and officials, will take place now that most of those restrictions have been lifted.
“I didn’t know, I just didn’t know what was going to happen. None of us did until really a week ago, a couple weeks ago,” Santamaria said.
Whether or not students could safely play music and what kinds of crowds might be allowed had to be navigated right up through the beginning of May. The state dropped pandemic-related outdoor restrictions on May 19.
Santamaria said he was also able to secure a flyover by the Air Force, which has happened in past years, but not every year.
Last year the parade was canceled, and there was a much smaller ceremony. Santamaria said that having smaller events and limited participation is still a good idea, even now.
But at the same time, being able to honor those who have lost their lives while in service with the armed forces remained an important priority. Santamaria said he felt good that there would be commemorations. “Memorial Day is just what it is: Memorial Day,” he said. “What feels different—I mean we do this every year, that’s what it’s for, it’s to honor men and women who lost their lives during all wars...but I think [the pandemic is] in all of our minds. In Guilford we’ve had 34 deaths [from the virus].”
The VFW earlier this month hosted a special memorial specifically for those who died during the pandemic.
Without a parade and with many people focused on the burgeoning possibilities of a summer without heavy restrictions or constant fear of the virus, Santamaria said he didn’t want to “lose sight” of how important Memorial Day is here in his 41st year leading the ceremonies. “In our minds, as veterans, we know where our minds are at,” he said. “We’re just doing what we can to remember what we’re supposed to remember.”
After the ceremony many of the veterans will head over to Alderbrook Cemetery for a more intimate gathering honoring Guilford veterans who have died. The public is invited to that ceremony as well, he added, though it is usually veterans who attend.