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DENTON – Even though the Miller family came across the Bay Bridge to camp at Martinak State Park on the long holiday weekend, they took time out to honor veterans and commemorate our late heroes during the annual Memorial Day Parade Friday, May 23, in downtown Denton.
They joined dozens of people who lined Market Street for the 15-minute parade that began at 6 p.m. and featured marching bands, fire trucks and most importantly, local veterans.
Attired in his Navy uniform, Dr. Christian Jensen of Denton was chauffeured by his daughter Wendy Adams in a red convertible. Korean War and Vietnam War veteran James Baker of Denton, dressed in his Army uniform, waved to neighbors and friends along the route.
State Sen. Johnny Mautz walked behind a truck carrying Vietnam War veterans. 2025 Poppy Queen Mary Rose Howeth, sponsored by the Caroline Unit 29 of the American Legion Auxiliary, wore a blue and white flowered dress and carried a bouquet of red poppies as she rode atop a white convertible and waved to parade goers.
Providing patriotic music were marching bands from North Caroline High School and both Colonel Richardson High School and Colonel Richardson Middle School.
Fire trucks and apparatus from Denton Volunteer Fire Company and as far away as Waldorf, Maryland, and Dunellen, New Jersey, inched along Market Street.
Despite many patrons dining both inside and outdoors at his Market Street Public House, owner Brian Tyler stepped outside to watch the parade. “Make America great again,” he said.
For Randy Moore, owner of Moore Funeral Home, the parade was especially meaningful. His father landed on Omaha Beach the morning after the initial D-Day landing known as D-Day Plus One, or June 7, 1944. His uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
Margie Hannawald of Denton brought her three children to wave flags and appreciate the significance of honoring the nation’s military heroes. Hannawald’s grandfather, the late Ernest Smith, was “actually going to Sunday Mass” the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The U.S. Marine served on the U.S.S. St. Louis. He was later severely wounded during the Battle of Peleliu in the South Pacific. “He was shot in the helmet.” Hannawald said. The shattered pack of cigarettes stored in his helmet “were snowing tobacco in his face.”
“A lot of people have no idea now about Pearl Harbor when you talk about it,” Hannawald said.
“December 7 comes around – it was a big deal in my house. June 6 was always big,” Moore said. “I see people not knowing what (the dates signify), and it’s just really upsetting.”
Anne Marie and Richard Duld of Greensboro looked forward to seeing their granddaughter Karma Waller march with the color guard of the Colonel Richardson High band, but Memorial Day is also meaningful.
A Vietnam War era veteran, Richard Duld served on the U.S.S. Independence, but spent his entire civilian career working for the military, while his father served in World War II and 40 years in the U.S. Navy. Anne Marie’s mother served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the same war.
The brief parade was just long enough to prompt memories of brave loved ones and heartfelt appreciation of all those who gave their lives for their country and for all who served in the armed forces.
