Memorial Day Observance Replaces Stroudsburg Parade

Stroudsburg, Monroe County - Stroudsburg won't be having a Memorial Day Parade this year. Many veterans were upset to hear the news. Charles Montalbano reacted, "I was really a little shocked over it."

The United Veterans of Monroe County usually put on the event but many people said that organization was basically a one man show. When the leader got seriously sick, the organization fell apart. There wasn't enough time or money to put on a parade.

Veterans didn't want sacrifices to be forgotten so they formed a new group. It's called The Monroe County Veterans Association. Lee Kirchner is the Vice President. He said, "Let's pick up the pieces and move forward."

The association is planning a Memorial Day Observance, not a parade. Monroe County American Legion Commander Thomas Bowditch explained, "You don't have a parade when they die. You want to honor the living. You want to remember the dead." Kirchner added, "We want to remember the fallen, not have a big party or anything like that. We'll save that for Veterans Day."

The Memorial Day Observance will be held in Stroudsburg's Courthouse Square on Sunday May 27^th at One. Thomas Franklin of the Monroe County Joint Veterans Honor Guard said, "We are going to come and pay tribute to the men and woman that have died for the country."

The event will include honor guards, wreath laying and the American Legion Glee Club. Kirchner said, "The most important thing we can do as veterans is to remember those that have fallen for us."