Memorial Day 2009

It was a beautiful day in downtown Deerfield, surprisingly so when past Memorial Days have featured thunderstorms or 90 degree heat. A rare, comfortably cool fourth Monday in May as the Warrior Marching Band once again traveled to Jewett Park for the American Legion's annual commemoration of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedoms. As usual, there were speeches made and honors bestowed, the band played our national anthem, and several alums stopped by to say hello. Recent alums like Ethan Kaplan (trumpet '08) and long graduated alums like Jerry Madden (alto sax '90). Army veteran Frank Harrison (baritone sax '92) carried a flag in the Legion's color guard as he has for several years. I spotted Herb and Vivian Landon, parents of Erica (trombone/drum major '92) along the parade route, and Bruce Stupple, retired DHS art teacher greeted me as well. It is always good to see old friends.

As we have for the past several years, we marched to the tune of "America On Parade." This is an arrangement I did a number of years ago that combines our "American the Beautiful" pregame entrance music with "Battle Hymn of the Republic." I originally put it together for the band to play in the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival parade competition. (If you're too young to know about that, it was an almost sacred event for the band each October). My favorite part of Memorial Day, however, is when we get to the cemetery just south of downtown. The drum majors, two senior buglers, and I join the queue of Legionnaires and scouts as they read the names of Deerfield residents who have died in America's many wars. It's an impressive list, beginning with a man who gave his life during the War of 1812 and ending with several names of men who died in Vietnam. I can't help but imagine that some of the latter were DHS grads who enlisted or were drafted right out of school. After the last name is read, three Legionnaires fire three volleys into the air with their rifles. Then our buglers, this year Josh Sacks and Max Polisky, play an echo version of Taps. Afterwards, there is a benediction and we parade back to the Legion Hall.

All in all, from the time we arrive at DHS to warm-up until the last uniform is checked in for the year, we spend less than three hours on this activity. While most students are sleeping in or relaxing at their family cottage, the marching band members are taking time out to pay tribute to the brave men and women who laid down their lives that we might enjoy our peace and prosperity. From Gettysburg to Normandy, from Iraq to Afghanistan, whether you agree with the politics of a given war or not, over one million Americans have given their lives in service of our country. And three hours on a holiday is a very small gesture for us to make in return.