No Memorial Day Parade In Waukesha Due To Pandemic

WAUKESHA, WI—There will be no Memorial Day parade in Waukesha this year.

Pat Craney, chair of the Waukesha Allied Veterans, told Patch the reason has to do with the pandemic.

"The Waukesha Health Department felt it was too much of a risk, this was a couple of months ago, it takes a long time to organize so they decided the risk was not for the participants but for the spectators," Craney said.

He said the parade, which runs down Main Street, draws a large crowd of people on both sides of the street.

"The concern was crowding all those people together on the sidewalks was a health issue due to the pandemic," he said.

Craney has organized the parade for 20 years. Planning starts in January and organizers need a permit from the city for the parade.

"In my unprofessional opinion, I don't think it would be much of a risk today because of the increased vaccinations. At that time they [health department] had to make a call," he said.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services:

50 percent of Waukesha County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine while 44 percent of residents have completed the vaccine series.

Other ways to salute

The Waukesha Allied Veterans Council will host the Memorial Day observance to include:

• 10 a.m. River Service, Frame Park outside of the Formal Gardens
• 11 a.m. Memorial Day program and Closing Ceremony for The Moving Wall, Frame Park Amphitheater.

The "Moving Wall" is scheduled to visit Waukesha at noon, May 27 through 6 a.m., June 1 in Frame Park .

"The Moving Wall" is a half-sized replica of the Washington DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

An opening ceremony is scheduled for May 27 at 6 p.m. During the ceremony, the names of those lost from the City of Waukesha will be read aloud. Family members of the Waukesha Servicemen will be recognized if they choose so.

• Reflections of Vietnam Display from the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 351 will be open for viewing in the Rotary Building at 1150 Baxter St. The display includes artifacts from the Vietnam War and is open during the following days and times:

• May 31, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• May 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Quilts of Valor will be on site to present quilts to Veterans.
• Visit the Field of Honor which will be displayed during the Moving Wall. Read about the honorees for each flag.

For more information, visit the city's website.