Nowhere was that more evident on Saturday than in the village of Walnut Bottom, where hundreds from the local community once again turned out to support the annual chicken barbecue and Memorial Day parade.
People proudly displayed patriotic decorations down Main Street and waved mini American flags as area veterans marched on by, beginning near Kar-Tunes garage at the east end of town and disbanding at the South Newton Township Volunteer Firehouse on Firehouse Road.
Marylou Williams of Shippensburg was one of many who stood and applauded throughout the parade, which included area youth groups such as the Walnut Bottom Boy Scout Troop 115, as well as the Big Spring High School marching band, The Carlisle Town Band, several vintage cars and tractors and area EMS and fire units.
“This is probably the most important of all the holidays,†Williams said. “If it wasn’t for the veterans, we wouldn’t have Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.â€
Members of the American Legion Post 223 from Shippensburg march up Main Street in Walnut Bottom Saturday evening at the start of the annual Memorial Day parade.
Williams, who has attended the Walnut Bottom parade for more than 20 years, comes from a military family and was born on the Fourth of July, so she is naturally patriotic, she said.
Louise Helm of Shippensburg came out for two reasons: to support her grandson, a member of the Big Spring band, and to honor the soldiers.
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