On a route stretching from Fourth Street to the Lakeview Cemetery, Jamestown residents lined blocks as various units from marching bands to scout troops took to the streets in honor of our nation’s fallen soldiers.

Memorial Services were also held at the Soldiers Circle in the Lakeview Cemetery after the parade. Before a guest speaker took the stand, Master of Ceremony Corporal Ken Furlow welcomed the many in attendance.

Retired Major of the U.S. Air Force and Chautauqua County Veterans Service Director Greg Carlson shared a story that resonated with the audience. He said his grandfather was a veteran, but so was his grandmother’s first love who passed away on D-Day during World War II.

“He didn’t get to march in the New York City ticker tape parade to celebrate the end of World War II and the beginning of a new era in America,” Carlson said.

“These rituals and services that we practice every Memorial Day weekend play a pivotal role in keeping that promise,” Carlson said of the duty to remember the sacrifices made to retain the country’s freedom. “And though these rituals will never fully live up to the price paid, it is an annual reminder of their sacrifice.”

Carlson reminded the audience of some of the United State’s most famous leaders and their charges: Abraham Lincoln’s to honor the fallen by using one’s talents to better the country and John F. Kennedy’s to ask what one can do for their country–two challenges that seem to go hand-in-hand.

“Compared to our nation’s bravest sons and daughters who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free, our requirement is so much less. We can be good neighbors and law-abiding citizens. We can work and contribute to our communities. We can take time out of our busy lives to come to places like this and honor our flag and honor our country and honor our fallen,” Carlson said.

Carlson closed his speech by reading aloud a poem titled “Requiem for a Fallen Warrior.”

“Freedom is not free,” Furlow said, reminding the audience that the hearts, minds and bodies of veterans were sacrificed for the privileges we may take for granted.

It was expressed throughout the ceremony that there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for the lives of others.

“As Americans, we have been given the precious gifts of freedom and liberty,” Carlson said.

The Municipal Band played throughout the services, performing patriotic hymns and the National Anthem.

Multiple wreaths were presented in remembrance of all deceased veterans. Particular wreaths were presented on behalf of the United Veterans Council of Jamestown and the City of Jamestown.

Mayor Sam Teresi thanked those who helped put the services together, including the Veterans Council, Lakeview Cemetery board of trustees, municipal band and all public employees from police officers to parks and recreation committee members and firefighters to public works members.

In his 19th Memorial Day service as mayor, Teresi expressed his gratitude that he has been able to see the growth of the audience at the services throughout the years. He was especially grateful to see a significant presence of young people at the ceremony.

Local youth were involved beyond spectating as well. Donovan Gomez from Persell Middle School read aloud President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Rachel Lemke also from Persell presented the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.

The services concluded around noon with a flag raising from half-staff to full-staff in celebration of the lives and service of veterans, both past and present.

Jamestown’s Memorial Day parade went off without a hitch, too; units including JDog Junk Removal and Hauling, Past and Present Paranormal, the Jamestown Shrine Club, Girl Scout Troop 20029, Boy Scout Troop 162 and Cub Pack 135 all participated.

Cubmaster Andrew Johnston said the purpose of the day was “to honor fallen heroes.”

Jamestown High School, Washington Middle School, Persell Middle School and Jefferson Middle School all represented themselves with their marching bands.

“It’s pretty special,” said Meghan Murray, Jamestown High School band director, of the parade and its significance.

Peter Carlo, Korean War veteran and donator of hundreds of flags throughout the community over the years, was proud to represent the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Chapter 47. He said it was his 64th consecutive Memorial Day parade in Jamestown.

“I believe in Jamestown; Jamestown’s got a lot of nice people in it,” Carlo said. “I feel very honored to serve my country.”

Fellow veteran Jeff Bloomquist dressed as Lincoln and greeted denizens of the parade as the famous president.

Having just turned 70, he said, “I do the parades for nothing–for the kids, families.”

The Jamestown Shrine Club also celebrated a milestone, with one of its members celebrating his 40th year serving in the club and 38th driving in the parade. That man is Jerry Erickson.

The Shriners are known for operating their modified 1947 Jeep in parades, even all the way out to Boston and Chicago. They stay home for events such as the Memorial Day parade and have their members sit in a howdah on top of the vehicle.

“We always have fun,” Erickson said. “We like to bring (the Jeep and howdah) around.”