In Columbia, Memorial Day is more than a date on the calendar. It's a time to come together, remember and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

The borough has upheld this tradition since the end of World War II, after hosting what organizers say was the largest Memorial Day parade in the nation. While the parade has grown smaller over time, the spirit behind it remains unwavering, rooted in deep respect and community pride.

This year's observance will begin at noon on Sunday, May 24, with music by the Bainbridge Band at the gazebo in Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St., Columbia. A formal ceremony will follow at 1 p.m., offering a moment for reflection, remembrance and gratitude. Columbia High School senior Gage Wolf will read the "Gettysburg Address."

Col. Scott A. Martin will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony. Martin was commissioned in 2003 after graduating from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and became an Aviation Supply Officer in 2004. He began his career with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 14 in North Carolina, later deploying to Djibouti as an assistant operations officer. He went on to serve in Japan with Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific, overseeing aviation supply and readiness across major fleet areas, and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 as a fuels operations officer.

After leaving active duty in 2010, Martin joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 2012 while working in the private sector, then returned to active service in 2014. He held key logistics roles at Headquarters Marine Corps and graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Martin later served in leadership roles in Japan, Rhode Island and Hawaii, including commanding MALS-24. Promoted to Colonel in 2026, he currently reports to the U.S. Army War College and will report to the Defense Logistics Agency in Virginia this summer.

Following the ceremony, a parade will kick off at 2:30 p.m. from 10th and Manor streets.

"This year we have four bands and approximately 20 floats and other entrants," said Bob Herman, committee member. "It will be better than last year."

The parade will travel to Fourth Street and to Union Street, down Second Street to Locust Street and up Locust to Sixth Street. Participating bands are the Columbia High School band, the Kiltie Band of York, the Central York Middle School York Fife and Drum Corps and The Kracker Beez. Various community groups, organizations and businesses will also be part of the parade.

With a theme of "Honoring Columbia's Fallen Veterans," the parade provides an opportunity for the public to show their patriotic pride, Herman said.

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved inside to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sixth and Locust streets.