Organizer of 157th Wilmington Memorial Day Parade: We ‘Commemorate Those Who Gave Their Lives for Our Country’

Wilmington, De.—One of the oldest Memorial Day parades in America marked its 157th anniversary with the organizer saying, “We try to remember the reason why we’re here. It’s not really to celebrate, but it’s to commemorate those who gave their lives for our country.” On May 30, 2024, hundreds of participants marched along Delaware Avenue to Soldiers and Sailors Monument Park, where a memorial service honored those who perished in America’s wars. The event was organized by the Wilmington Memorial Day Committee, with John Flaherty, the executive director, providing insights into the parade’s long legacy. Mr. Flaherty, a former member of the Delaware National Guard for six years, shared a personal connection to the cause; his older brother, a Second Lieutenant, lost his life in the Vietnam War on Nov. 4, 1967....