Next Monday will mark an exciting return in Livingston. After three full calendar years, the Memorial Day Parade will once again proceed along Livingston Avenue. Its welcome arrival coincides with the return of several beloved spring and summer events. Last week saw the return of the Kiwanis Karnival, next month will be Summerfest, and Fourth of July should once again feature the ever-popular fireworks show.Due to the COVID pandemic, there has not been a Memorial Day parade since 2019. There are three-year-old residents of this community who have never gotten the opportunity to experience one of the best annual events Livingston has to offer. We are thrilled that it is back. This will be the 70th Memorial Day parade held in Livingston; the first took place in 1950.The festivities will begin at the Oval at 9:30 a.m. next Monday, May 30, with the annual veterans’ patriotic ceremonies. First responders will also hold their own ceremonies prior to the start of the parade, which kicks off shortly thereafter at 10 a.m. Veterans, first responders, and community organizations will participate in the march, led by three Grand Marshals – Korean War combat veterans Bert Heinser and Don Klenke, as well as Korean War-era veteran Fred Picini – and Miss Buddy Poppy 2022, Riley Brady (a reminder to those who have yet to pick up a Buddy Poppy lapel flower around town, there is still time!).After the parade is over, there will be plenty of time left in the day for backyard barbecues. But we encourage residents to attend the return of this great tradition, and take a moment to reflect on why we have this day off in the first place.Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in that conflict. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all of our nation’s wars. Volunteers would place American flags on the graves of veterans, hence the name Decoration Day.In recent decades, however, Memorial Day has become known more as the official start of the summer season. It’s a long holiday weekend that is often dedicated to fun gatherings of family and friends. It has also, like so many other holidays, been hijacked by commercial interests to tout retail sales promotions.But we know that Memorial Day is not about the ...
