Pine Plains Memorial Day parade draws big crowds

PINE PLAINS —  Packed onto the sidewalk, hugging the shade and surpassing 200 in number, Pine Plains residents came out in force for Memorial Day. The main event was the parade, which began at the Pine Plains Fire House, stopped at the town clock, proceeded to the Evergreen Cemetery, and concluded at the Pine Plains American Legion Post No. 426.

Leading the parade were veterans, service people, and historical reenactors from all eras of American history, followed by the Stissing Mountain Junior High School band, and the Pine Plains FFA.

Leading a group of his military history students, outfitted in Revolutionary War garb, was Neil Murray, history teacher at Stissing Mountain, who delivered a speech outlining the long service record of the townspeople of Pine Plains. Emphasizing the important of “bringing history to life,” Murray described those historical figures as being “vivid with color, and with real lives, emotions, and experiences” beyond their service records.

Marie Stewart, director of operations at the Stissing Center and member of the town’s zoning board of appeals, directed the parade, led the flower-laying, and delivered remarks honoring those who “sacrificed their all” in service of the country, noting that Memorial Day is an opportunity to “celebrate their lives” and “pass down the stories of the fallen.”

From the town clock, the parade proceeded to the Evergreen Cemetery, where the flag was raised and a seven-gun salute delivered, and then on to the American Legion Post, where dedication was given by Post chaplain George Keeler.

Delivering a seven-gun salute at the flag raising at Evergreen Cemetery. Photo by Elias Sorich

The first of many World War II-era vehicles being driven by veterans and their families at the Pine Plains Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29. Photo by Elias Sorich

Stissing Mountain High School history teacher Neil Murray and members of his military history class in Revolutionary War garb. Photo by Elias Sorich

  

Delivering a seven-gun salute at the flag raising at Evergreen Cemetery. Photo by Elias Sorich