After the rain cleared on Monday afternoon, May 25, members of the Hudson American Legion Post 48 held their annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony without a hitch.
While many neighboring towns were forced to cancel their events due to inclement weather, Hudson’s 2 p.m. start time proved to be the difference, allowing the town to carry on its long-standing tradition of honoring those who gave their lives in service to the country.
The parade featured the Alvirne High School Marching Band and the school’s Air Force JROTC, along with Hudson Fire and Police, local scouting groups, members of the Hudson Board of Selectmen, U.S. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, and members of Post 48.
The procession stepped off from the Hudson Mall and made its way to Liberty Park, where a ceremony honoring the nation’s fallen service members took place.
Post 48 Commander Dave Mayopoulos opened the ceremony by leading the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by patriotic selections performed by the American Legion Band. He then reflected on the meaning of Memorial Day, recalling the sacrifices made since the nation’s earliest conflicts, including the Revolutionary War and the first minutemen who fell fighting for independence.
He spoke of the enduring promise to honor the legacy and service of those who fought for freedom, concluding his remarks with, “God bless our Gold Star families, and God bless America.”
Congresswoman Goodlander also addressed the crowd for the second consecutive year. “We are what we remember, and we are who we remember,” she said, opening her remarks with a reflection on the importance of remembrance.
She thanked those who organized the event, as well as the veterans, families, and community members in attendance. Speaking about fallen service members, she added, “I know they are heroes to each and every one of us. There is no greater love than the love that could lead a person to give their life for another.”
She continued, “The ultimate expression of love is the willingness to sacrifice everything for it.”
The ceremony concluded with Post 48 members laying of a wreath at the Hudson War Memorial in Liberty Park and taps being played, a solemn tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.