Lower Merion to Honor Veterans for Memorial Day

The Lower Merion Memorial Day Observance will take place on Monday, May 25, with several events planned to honor veterans. The Merion Concert Band will play U. S. Military service songs and patriotic selections beginning at 9:45 a.m. at the corner of Lancaster and Argyle Roads.

Parade participants are to assemble on Greenfield Avenue at 10 a.m. Families and children are welcome with their bicycles, strollers and wagons. First, second and third place awards will be given for the best decorated bicycles.

The parade will step off from Greenfield Avenue at 10:30 a.m. and process to St. Paul’s Cemetery for the Memorial Day Service at 11:15 a.m. John Nagl, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and current Headmaster at The Haverford School, will serve as this year’s Grand Marshal. The Leon Spencer Reid Post Color Guard will lead the parade, followed by the marshals and dignitaries, piper Daniel Emery and other parade participants along Lancaster Avenue. Spectators will see First Responder units, veterans and civic groups including the members of the Lower Merion Township Police Department, the Wynnewood Civic Association, the Historic Car Club of Pennsylvania, Lower Merion Community Watch, the Merion Fire Company of Ardmore and representatives of Lower Merion’s other volunteer fire companies.

Also appearing: the Leon Spencer Reid Ladies Auxillary; Veterans from Post 547, American Legion; Eastwick Commandoes; Conestoga Angels; and Command Performance.

Rev. Dr. Harry McDowell of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Capt. John J. Mulhern, U.S.N.R. (Ret.) will officiate at the Memorial Service. Henry Spady, a Vietnam veteran and the Commander of the American Legion Post #547, and Barry McKeon, a Vietnam Veteran representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars, will lead the Flag Ceremony. The Cannon Salute will be rendered by Pennsylvania’s 98th Volunteers, and Rev. Carol Gilbert, Bethel AME Church, will give the benediction.

According to Master of Ceremonies Duncan Van Dusen, the Memorial Day Observance is intended to “honor those who have served our country in the armed forces.” Members of the Planning Committee are excited about this year’s Observance and hope to see a great turnout on Memorial Day.

(Photo courtesy Lower Merion Township)