PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the first time since 2019, many gathered in person nationwide to observe Memorial Day and honor our nation's fallen soldiers.
Hundreds of people assembled at Laurel Hill Cemetery in East Falls to mark the holiday in Philadelphia, resuming a tradition that began in 1868. The historic burial ground hosted the very first Memorial Day service in Philadelphia that year.
Traditions and formats of the Grand Army of the Republic were re-enacted at the cemetery. The Philadelphia Brigade Band played as participants made their way to the grave of Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, the victor of the Battle of Gettysburg. Members of the public were able to decorate Meades final resting place with rose petals.
Dr. Andy Waskie is with Legion Post 405.
"No Meade, no Lincoln. It's very simple," said Dr. Andy Waskie, with American Legion Post 405.
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"We have thousands and thousands of veterans here from all wars, from the Revolution all the way up to the recent Gulf War buried here, so we are honoring out only individuals but all veterans."
There was a dedication of three new veteran grave markers at the cemetery, one to honor a veteran from the Civil War, another from the Spanish American War, and one from World War I. Dan Dailey, the past national president of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, led the ceremony.
"We give out flags, we give donations, like we're here today doing, rededicating tombstones," said Dailey, "like this guy in 1869, a Civil War colonel, unmarked grave up until today."
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