NORTHAMPTON — It was 151 years ago that war veterans first gathered in Park Street Cemetery in Florence to honor their dead in 1868.
And on Monday, that ceremonial occasion continued as the village gathered to celebrate Memorial Day as it always does — with an old-school parade filled with American flags, patriotic songs and remembrances of those who have lost their lives in war.
“The parade marches on year after year,” Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz said shortly before the parade began. “If it is raining sideways, they’ll be marching here.”
Rain was nowhere in sight Monday as the sun beat down on parade goers and temperatures reached the mid-70s. But even the heat didn’t deter some from wearing wool Civil War-era uniforms as they marched.
“The north had wool and the south had cotton,” said Martin Miner, one of those wearing the wool uniforms of the 10th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. He was standing under a shade tree on Trinity Row, waiting for the parade to begin.
As for how to best deal with heat, one of his fellow wool-uniformed marchers had a simple piece of advice.
“Bring your canteen,” said Christopher Carter.
American flags and American-flag pinwheels lined the parade as onlookers clapped, danced along to the sounds of the Northampton High School band and caught candy thrown from some of the parade floats.
“This is a great way to be a part of the community,” said Chris Boucher, who recently moved back to Northampton after living in the Boston area.
Boucher said Florence’s Memorial Day Parade is a great example of small-town community.
“Feels great to be back,” he said.
Boucher was marching in the parade with his children Gideon, 5, and Zoe, 6, as part of the contingent from Cloverdale Cooperative Preschool. The small children walked excitedly down Main Street, carrying a banner bearing their school’s name.
“It’s very exciting and fun,” said Whitney Heuschkel, a teacher at the school. “We’ll definitely share stories about it on Tuesday.”
Among the group was Sonia Ayala, who said she was proud to be marching in the parade for the first time as a U.S. citizen.
“It’s exciting,” said Ayala, who is originally from Peru.
Memorial Day’s beginnings date back to 1868, when General John A. Logan issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of “Decoration Day.” Since then, residents of Florence have gathered in the Park Street Cemetery, where the parade once again ended on Tuesday.
Elected politicians and veterans alike spoke at a ceremony in the cemetery, where some gathered around the stage and others under a nearby tree.
Attendees sang the national anthem, said the pledge of allegiance, bowed their heads for a prayer and listened to some history of Memorial Day as two fighter jets roared over the parade.
“You’ve got to be proud of the outpouring of support you’ve given us,” VFW Post 8006 Commander Tom Pease said during his speech.
Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com.