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As red, white and blue flags waved from the onlookers camped on the sidewalk, Winchester’s town center hummed with instruments and marching veterans this past Memorial Day. The parade started with words of remembrance for fallen soldiers who served for the United States and commenced the march through town.
Everyone was invited to participate in civic exercises after the parade, sponsored by the Winchester Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The VFW’s members care for the cause and celebration of individuals who served, one being Festus McDonough, who served for four years in the United States Marine Corps.
“To me, it’s very important that we do this and we show up so that way we remember everyone that paid the ultimate sacrifice for us. And if we’re not leading the charge as veterans, how can we expect civilians to follow suit?” said McDonough. “It really brings a lot of satisfaction seeing all the civilians and the kids here and supporting us.”
As a member of the Winchester VFW Post 3719, duties also include outreach through social media to urge veterans to participate and for locals to take interest in the holiday as an educational day.
Outside Winchester Town Hall, there is the Edward F. O’Connell Veterans War Memorial, created in 2009 in O’Connell’s memory as a prior veteran and active organizer in Winchester’s Veterans Day and Memorial Day celebrations for over 30 years.
The monument has six tablets with over 4,000 names of veterans who have represented Winchester in various wars and conflicts since the Civil War. This is a place where locals can come and visit in memory of their family.
Stephen Campbell, a resident of Winchester, was at the memorial on Monday visiting the plaza to recognize his father and his brother who both served the country.
“He actually was shot down on an enemy-held island and the natives there banded together and got him from the enemy-held island across the ocean,” Campbell said. “I was thinking about that because if he was captured, chances are he wouldn't have survived. That you know the vicissitudes, if you will, of life.”
Minglers at the memorial had their own reasons for coming to the memorial that day. Some commented on their heritage from Irish immigrants who created lives in the U.S. around the Civil War and immediately enlisted in the U.S. forces.
“I think there is something to be said about immigrants and what they contribute to our country,” said a resident at the O’Connell memorial.
