Despite a soggy start and drizzly finale, Altamont’s Memorial Day Parade went on as planned Sunday, May 19, when people lined the streets armed with umbrellas to honor those who made the greatest sacrifice for their country.
There were only a handful of people gathered at the parade’s start at the entrance to the Altamont Fairgrounds, but as the marchers turned on to Main Street the crowd continued to grow until the route terminated at Orsini Park. After the nearly mile-long parade concluded a ceremony was held to honor those who died serving their country.
“It is always important to remember and remembering those who have given so much makes it even more important to remember,” Mayor James Gaughan said. “This is a place on hallowed ground that from the Revolutionary War did find (encampments) here to send men to war to keep our freedoms.”
Cindy Pollard, owner of The Home Front Café, said when she first opened the restaurant with her husband, Jack, they only thought they would be there a couple of years. After hearing veterans share their stories and memories she filled the café with military memorabilia. They recently celebrated the café’s 16th anniversary.
“In my lifetime there has been World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, the Cold War and all the skirmishes in between. All this time our service men and women have always been there for us,” Pollard said. “I know that this is a day for respect and remembrance for those who did not return, but I hope you would also make it a day for appreciation and respect for all those who did.”
She also urged people, especially children and teens, to “seek out a vet, put your hand on his shoulder and say, ‘Thank you.’”
Darlene Stanton, past VFW Auxiliary President and master of ceremonies at the event, also honored Pollard for her contributions to veterans and the community.
“She never lets our veterans be forgotten and we didn’t want her to be forgotten for all the wonderful things she has done,” Stanton said.
Donald Mackey, past District 3 Commander and Vietnam veteran, was grand marshal of the parade. Mackey said the event is a celebration of freedom and “all that was done to get here.”
“Those of us who have fought in a war remember,” Mackey said. “It’s impossible to forget. Those days full of fear, full of wanting. We wanted to go home more than we wanted to be there.”
Mackey said there is a “drastic difference” between the stories told about war and the people that experienced war firsthand.
“For several years I felt guilty,” Mackey said. “I felt guilty because I got home, I survived. There is more than one veteran that feels that way and that guilt, I’m not sure it ever goes away. We replay over and over in our minds what happened to us.”
In 1967, one of his friends died in helicopter crash after being shot down, and a year later Mackey returned home without his friend.
“His life was precious and I missed him for a long time,” he said. “I know that if he had to do it over again he probably would, but none of us want that to happen. None of us want war.”
Whenever Mackey hears a helicopter approaching it brings back memories of his lost friend. He said losing his friend and others would be “for nothing” if people forget the past.
“I can almost see him leaning out the door and waving … and as he waves the helicopter drifts into heaven and he’s gone once more,” he said. “For a very brief moment I saw him. Someday, we will meet again. Someday, we will relive those good moments, and we’ll never forget together.”