POTTSTOWN PA – The official federal holiday is still eight weeks away, but veterans’ groups in the greater Pottstown PA area have been planning for months to make the 2011 edition of the borough’s Memorial Day parade one of the biggest ever assembled.
The Pottstown Joint Veterans Council, an umbrella organization involving many veterans’ representatives, recently invited all former members of the U.S. Armed Forces it could contact to join the parade, scheduled to begin May 30 (2011; Monday) at 10 a.m. from High and Adams streets, near the Goodwill Fire Company.
Participants will render “a great service to the memory of our fallen veterans and to our community,” parade Coordinator Terry Foulke wrote.
Any veteran of any American military branch of service can march in the parade, and no uniform is required. Participants also are not required to be members of, or join, any of the area’s organizations. “Just show up and join the ranks with other veterans at the head of the parade,” advised Billy Worrell, adjutant of Sanatoga’s Brig. Gen. Elmer S. Friedberg American Legion Post 244.
Although no registration is required, Foulke would like to hear from potential marchers by no later than April 30 (Saturday). That will allow him and his volunteers “to finalize our plans.” He recognizes some groups may bring not only marchers but vehicles, floats and trailers too; they are asked to contact the council with details.
“We are looking forward … to put together the most successful Memorial Day Parade to date,” Foulke wrote.
Foulke hopes veterans start gathering near Goodwill at about 9 a.m. on Memorial Day, and find him or other parade representatives for their assignment. He noted, too, there will be no rain date for the parade; in case of inclement weather, instructions regarding it will be broadcast by radio station WPAZ-AM 1370 as early as 6 a.m., he said.
Memorial services in the borough’s Memorial Park, West King Street, will immediately follow the parade and last about an hour, Foulke added. All participants and visitors are invited to attend them as well; the services will be held indoors in case of rain.