The Strasburg Area Sertoma Club, in cooperation with the former Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Paul R. Strubel Post No. 8710, will sponsor a parade and memorial service on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, to honor the sacrifices of deceased veterans, service members missing in action, retired veterans, and those who are currently serving in all branches of the United States armed forces. Parade formation will begin at 8 a.m. along Clearview Drive in Strasburg, and the parade will commence at 9 a.m. The Memorial Day service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Strasburg Cemetery, 50 W. Franklin St., Strasburg. Strasburg has a long tradition of honoring fallen heroes, started 79 years ago by the VFW members.

The honorary parade grand marshal will be Doug Houck, an Army veteran and longtime community volunteer. Community service organizations, Scout troops, and church groups will have floats in the parade, and the Lampeter-Strasburg High School marching unit will perform. People of all ages are invited to join the Barebones Bicycle crew and ride their decorated bicycles in the parade. Sertoma members distribute VFW buddy poppies for a donation along the route. Community members are also encouraged to continue the tradition, started several years ago, of displaying flags and other patriotic decorations along the route.

The tradition of placing flags, provided free of charge by the national VFW, in Strasburg area cemeteries to mark veterans' final resting places will continue. The parade procession will stop first at Wesley United Methodist Church for a salute and a moment of silence. The parade will halt next in front of Saint Michael's Lutheran Church. Local Boy Scout troops, members of the Strasburg Lodge of Odd Fellows, and other community volunteers will help in placing the flags at the cemeteries, and local Girl Scouts will place bouquets of flowers. Anyone who wishes to help place the flags may contact Brian Barr at sgt30th@yahoo.com.

After doubling back along East Main Street, the parade will stop at the War Memorial at the Square, where VFW members will lead a flag-changing ceremony. After the parade, everyone may take the short walk to the Strasburg Cemetery for the memorial service. The keynote speakers will be husband and wife David and Audrey Santana, both of whom were or are in the Army. They will share their thoughts on the significance of Memorial Day. Houck, Sertoma Club members and local clergy will assist in the program, and the Lampeter-Strasburg Community Band will perform.

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be canceled and the memorial service will take place in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, 101 S. Decatur St., at 10:30 a.m. Notification of the parade cancellation will be given to WGAL and FM97.

For more information or to register a group to participate in the parade, contact Barr at the aforementioned email address.