EG's Memorial Day Parade, Take Two

East Greenwich's annual Memorial Day Parade was extra special this year because the Navy Band Northeast participated. And, our own Avenger Band was in fine form too. But the best moment of the parade may have been the short speech by Grand Marshal Adolph Johnson, 88, a life-long East Greenwich resident who told the crowd he'd been born just a stone's throw away from where he was speaking – in the house behind Norman's. 

"People were born at home in those days," he said. 

He talked about loving EG's parades and marching in them first as a Boy Scout (to huzzahs from some of the Boy Scouts in the crowd) and then in a band. 

After Johnson's speech, Cole Middle School eighth grader Timothy Sanzi recited Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Address, the Kentish Guard fired a three-round salute and EGHS buglers Ben Markstone and Kenny Shanos played taps.

The coda was when the Navy Band played a solemn rendition The Navy Hymn. 

Thanks and congratulations to parade organizers Carl Hoyer and Leigh Botello! To see photos from the parade, click here.