A Day of Remembrance: Chester’s Memorial Day 2012

Traffic came to a standstill for a short time on Routes 103 and 11 on Wednesday as Chester once again observed Memorial Day on its traditional May 30th date. Hundreds of residents including students from Chester Andover Elementary and Green Mountain Union High School took part. The annual parade kicked off at 9 a.m. with stops for prayers and gun salutes at the North Street Cemetery, North Street Bridge and Brook Side Cemetery and ended at the town Green. The overcast day turned sunny as marching bands from both the high school and elementary school took up their positions on Common Street.

Hosted by Chester’s American Legion Post No. 67, the memorial service on the Green was presided over by Richard Farmer. It included a prayer by the Rev. Tom Charlton of the First Baptist Church, a flag raising and playing of the “Star Spangled Banner” by the GMUHS band and the traditional placing of wreaths on Chester’s war monuments. This year’s ceremony also included a POW/MIA ceremony, singing of the song “Flanders Field” by the middle school chorus and a reading of an essay and poem “What Memorial Day Means to Me” by seventh grader Matt Powers.

Remarks by Gary Degasta – the retired director of the White River Junction Veterans Hospital – were followed by Taps (played by Mark Harwood and Rosie McNamara) and a closing prayer. Participants were invited to the Legion for refreshments afterward. Click on any picture to launch gallery.

As students from Chester-Andover Elementary School listen in the background, a gun salute is held at the Brook Side Cemetery as part of Memorial Day ceremonies on Wednesday, May 30./ Photo Gallery by Shawn Cunningham.

Students from Chester-Andover Elementary School and their teachers wait along the Green on Main Street for the Memorial Day Parade to begin.

Wednesday’s Memorial Day Parade was led by Chester firefighters driving Engine No. 2.

Representatives for Chester own American Legion Post 67 take the lead.

Following is the Ludlow American Legion Ballard Hobart Post No. 36.

Members of the Chester Legion’s Junior Auxiliary carry flags during the parade.

The Green Mountain Union High School Marching Band, led by Emily Guerra, in formation as it prepares to enter Brook Side Cemetery.

Chester-Andover Elementary’s Flag and Band corps march along Main Street on the way to Brook Side Cemetery.

Mark Harwood plays Taps on his trumpet during a wreath laying and prayers at Brook Side Cemetery. Orrin Amsden, hidden behind a tree, answers with his mournful trumpet.

Two veterans honor the fallen at Brook Side Cemetery.

The GMUHS Marching Band head to the Green to continue the events.

GMUHS Marching Band enters the Green along The Common.

National Executive Committeeman Richard Farmer addresses the crowd on the Green.

The Rev. Thomas Charlton of the First Baptist Church offers an opening prayer/moment of silence.

The Color Guard stands to the left of the Rev. Thomas Charlton as he delivers an opening prayer.

An appreciative audience applauds during Memorial Day ceremonies on the Green.

The 7th and 8th Grade Chorus from GMUHS sings “Flanders Fields” as Cindy Austin directs.

The Chester-Andover Elementary School Flag Squad and Marching Band perform during Memorial Day ceremonies at the Green.

Matt Powers of Green Mountain Union High reads his winning essay, “What Memorial Day Means to Me,” which included a poem he wrote for the occasion.

Mark Harwood and Rosie McNamara, out of the picture, help to bring the events to a close with Taps.