Organizer Brian Barr noted that the Strasburg Memorial Day Parade serves as a reminder of why the commemoration is consequential.

"The importance comes from the fact of what the holiday is all about," said Barr, who is the parade chairman for the Strasburg Area Sertoma Club, which sponsors the event. "Memorial Day, when it was started after the Civil War, began to honor those who gave the last full measure: They died in battle. I think it's very, very important to remind people what the holiday is all about. Yes, it's nice to have a picnic. It's nice to have hot dogs and hamburgers and open the swimming pool up and do all those things. But also, keep in mind what the holiday is all about. The educational purpose is very important to me."

The annual parade, in its 78th year, will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 26. Participants will begin forming along Clearview Drive at 9 a.m. The commemoration will conclude with a service at the Strasburg Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. If it rains, the parade will be canceled, and the service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, 101 S. Decatur St.

Community service organizations, Scout troops, and church groups will take part in the parade, along with the Lampeter-Strasburg High School and Martin Meylin Middle School marching bands. "For Strasburg, it's a community thing," said Barr. "I like to say it's an old-fashioned community parade. It brings us all out together to remember."

There will be stops on Main Street to honor service members buried in cemeteries at Wesley United Methodist Church and Saint Michael's Lutheran Church, and the parade will end at the War Memorial in Strasburg Square.

"One thing that is always neat is that people along the parade route go above and beyond to decorate their yards with flags and banners," said Barr. "I encourage that because it gives a feel of patriotism that we're trying to remind people about."

In addition to the official parade participants, Barr said there are usually tractors pulling decorated wagons and parents pulling wagons carrying their children. Everyone is welcome to take part in the parade, and registration is not required. "You can show up (at 8 a.m.), and we will put you in," Barr said.

Paul R. Strubel VFW Post 8710 started the parade, and the Sertoma Club took over when the VFW post joined with the Millersville VFW.

Local Scout troops, member of Strasburg's Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge, and community members will place flags on the graves of veterans prior to the service.

Following the parade, Strasburg Mayor Bruce Ryder will welcome visitors to the service at the cemetery. Coast Guard veteran Norm Mable will be the featured speaker, and the Lampeter-Strasburg Community Band will perform.

The ceremony will end with a patriotic sing-along to "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful."

"That's just something to give people a good feeling as they're leaving," said Barr.

A Civil War re-enactor, Barr stated that the parade and service are "something that's near and dear to me."

He explained that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, an early version of the VFW, ordered his men to decorate the graves of those who had given their lives in the Civil War.

"We are here to remember those who, as (Abraham) Lincoln said, gave their last full measure," Barr said.