ARLINGTON – American Legion Post 76 hosted the annual Memorial Day Parade along Olympic Avenue downtown on Monday, with a memorial ceremony that followed at Arlington Cemetery.

American Legion veterans and members presented the colors to kick off the parade, assisted by Boy Scouts who raised the flag in Legion Park. Doreen Delancy with the Legion Women’s Auxiliary placed a memorial wreath in front of the post’s cabinet.

Spectators packed the parade route on the sun-filled day, some waving small patriotic flags and others clapping, removing their hats and paying their respects to participating military veterans.

This was David Marsh’s first parade and ceremony serving as Post Commander in December.

“I had one woman come up to me after the parade who teared up and said it had been the best parade in years; everybody was very appreciative,” said Marsh, a past post vice president and former Navy veteran first-class aviation ordianance worker who served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln during the Gulf War.

Marsh took over the commander role in December for late Commander Dennis Gerber, who passed away in January. His folded flag was added to the cabinet along with three other member who died since last Memorial Day.

Whether on foot or riding in a restored shiny-red flatbed truck, veterans in the 20-minute parade had plenty of company. Other entries included first responders, American Legion Riders, the Arlington High School marching band in their spiffy new uniforms, Arlington High School Air Force Jr. ROTC, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and others.

Events moved to the cemetery afterward for a memorial to honor fallen military members who sacrificed their lives in service to their country and the community.

Marsh said the parade, ceremony, and the reception and gratitude they receive from the community are important to veterans and their families.

“Every one of us has been touched by a loss due to military action,” he said. “We’ve experienced the loss of losing a loved one, so it means a lot to us.”