On Monday, May 29, the Appleton Memorial Day Parade and “Moment of Remembrance” Ceremony will honor the brave United States servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of American rights and freedoms.
“Memorial Day reminds us of the courage and selflessness of our Armed Forces as well as the debt we owe them,” said Corey Otis, Appleton Parade Committee Chairperson. “Appleton commemorates their valor with gratitude and respect, and we renew our commitment to upholding the principles for which they fought to protect.”
The Appleton Memorial Day Parade annually pays tribute to servicemen and women who lost their lives in service to the United States of America. This stately event annually draws hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators to Appleton. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. on Memorial Day. The route starts at the corner of College Avenue and Appleton Street, heads east on College Avenue to Meade Street, north on Meade Street to Pacific Street, and east on Pacific Street ending at the corner of Pacific Street and Owaissa Street.
The Fox Valley Veterans Council, Fast Signs, and Great Northern Corporation partnered to create a special tribute for Memorial Day. The Fox Valley Veterans Council has long maintained a list of Outagamie County servicemen and women who perished while serving in the United States military from the Civil War to the present. Last year, Fast Signs designed and produced large banners to display these names for the parade. Great Northern Corporation will drive the banners through the Appleton Memorial Day Parade on a semi-truck, which will ultimately park outside the entrance of Riverside Cemetery. Parade spectators are encouraged to read the names of the fallen servicemen and women, remember their sacrifice, and reflect upon their service.
The “Moment of Remembrance” ceremony takes place immediately following the Parade in Appleton’s historic Riverside Cemetery, at the George D. Eggleston, G.A.R. monument – 714 North Owaissa Street. A short, second ceremony takes place after the City’s ceremony, at the Appleton American Legion Post No. 38 plot. This plot is located at the entrance of the St. Joseph Cemetery within Riverside Cemetery.
JJ Vander Loop, a 17-year-old junior at St. Francis Xavier High School, is honored to deliver the keynote address at this year’s “Moment of Remembrance” ceremony. He is a varsity member of the speech and debate team and mock trial. JJ is passionate about politics, history, and racecars. During the summer he races at Shawano Speedway, Wisconsin International Raceway, and Outagamie Speedway. Vander Loop is humbled by the opportunity to memorialize our fallen servicemen and women this Memorial Day.
Other students participating in this year’s ceremony include Austin Demerath from Appleton East, Akshaya Sivakumar from Appleton North, Esther Anderle from Appleton West, and Grace Peters from Fox Valley Lutheran. The in-person program will feature poignant speeches and poems delivered by Appleton high school students; remarks from Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford, Donald Traynor from American Legion Post 38, Rose Heinz from Appleton American Legion Auxiliary Unit 38, Patricia Martin from Appleton VFW Auxiliary Unit 2778, and our master of ceremonies; and patriotic music, including live performances from Celtic Nations Pipe and Drum, MacDowell Male Chorus, and the Appleton City Band. Color and honor guards from various local veteran service organizations will also participate. The ceremony will end in the traditional manner: a rifle salute to our fallen servicemen and women will be performed by members of Appleton American Legion Post 38 and Appleton VFW Post 2778. A bugler will play “Taps” to close the Moment of Remembrance.
Appleton annually honors our community’s fallen heroes. The Parade Committee collaborated with parade partners to pay tribute to those who died protecting our rights and freedoms. Follow the Appleton Memorial Day Parade on Facebook for news and updates on this year’s Memorial Day Parade and Moment of Remembrance ceremony as well as announcements regarding the 72nd Appleton Flag Day Parade, scheduled for June 10, 2023.
