Dalton residents unite to remember on Memorial Day
By Robin Hauenstein
June 17, 2011
302
Summary: When the decades-old Memorial Day parade and ceremony were canceled in the village of Dalton this year, a group of citizens took charge and within one week, organized a parade and ceremony of their own.
"We acknowledge every death by violence is a tragedy," were the beginning words of the opening pray Monday, May 30, from Doug Hagler, pastor of Dalton Presbyterian Church. Hagler, one of the organizers of the Memorial Day parade and ceremony in Dalton. Hagler continued by adding "that tragedy is compounded when we do not take the time to remember."
The Memorial Day celebrations in Dalton have always consisted of a parade and ceremony at the village cemetery. When elders at the Dalton Presbyterian Church met in their monthly session a week earlier, they decided to do a grass-roots version of the annual event. Elders Peter Douglas and Erin Yoder helped Hagler make contact with the Dalton marching band, Mayor Judy Cox, and the Boy Scouts. A parade permit was secured, and more volunteers continued to line up participants and needed equipment.
On the following Monday morning, residents gathered along Church Street for a short parade, featuring Boy Scout Troop 922, numerous area children on patriotic decorated bikes, the Dalton High School Marching Band, Cox, and other volunteers, including Hagler and Linda Boyd.
Boyd, whose son Robert graduated from West Point in 1998, said "once it started, everybody jumped on the bandwagon," while Hagler didnt want to accept any credit, other than admitting "I just gave it a push."
A new graduate of Dalton High School, Peter Douglas played with the marching band one last time and then read In Flanders Field. His twin sister and fellow graduate Emily read the Gettysburg Address. The Scouts stood at attention as they raised the flag to half staff. Scouts worked earlier to put flags on the markers of all veterans in the village cemetery. The Bulldog band played patriotic songs and then a lone trumpeter finished with Taps.
Hagler began to read the lengthy list of veterans in the cemetery and encouraged those present to walk around and see the graves, "to consider the sacrifices made." Veterans from every U.S. war through the 20th century were on the list, which began with Rev. James Adams, veteran of the War of 1812.
Before offering the closing benediction, Linda Boyd thanked the many residents in attendance, echoing the thoughts of many. "Thank you for being a caring community."
