2019 Memorial Day Parade
VFW Post 7706 Veterans march in Barrington’s Memorial Day Parade
Members of the VFW Post 7706 led by the new Post Commander, Guy Newell, presided over ceremonies at four local cemeteries – White Cementery, St. Paul Cementery, Barrington Center, and Union Cementary.. During the ceremony a statement honoring veterans was given, the VFW Color Guard carried the US Flag and VFW flag and the rifle detail fired a volley honoring veterans past and present.
The members of the post then prepared to lead the annual Barrington 4th of July Parade. The day warm and grew hotter as the parade progressed. But that did not stop Post 7706’s Veterans of Foreign Wars from marching in the Memorial Day Parade. Nor did it stop Barrington citizens from attending the parade and showing their support.
The parade route started at the Barrington Veterans Memorial, proceed west on Main Street, left on Dundee Avenue and right into Evergreen Cemetery. Boy Scouts stood at attention and saluted the Vets as they arrived.
At the cemetery a service was held to honor all those service men and women who lost their lives in service to their country. Bill Hannay, a Vietnam Veteran, gave a speech honoring the Veterans of WWII. Three were in attendance and the Guests of Honor.
The service ended with Barrington band students playing Taps.
Thanks to VFW Post 7706 Commander Paul Corwin for all his efforts in making this a truly successful event.
An excerpt of Vietnam Veteran Bill Hannay’s remarks. Download the document: Bill Hannay’s Remarks – Memorial Day 2019
“World War II was an era of sacrifice unequalled in our own history. Over 400,000 Americans died in the service of our nation. On D-Day alone, over 5,200 were killed or wounded in Normandy. But the battles that were fought there were not just between two armies; it was … as clearly as any conflict in all of human history … a battle between two ways of life … between good and evil.”