Fallen Veterans Honored At Memorial Day Events Across Philadelphia Region
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A full slate of tributes, memorial services and parades to honor those who served our nation are set for today in the region.
The oldest Memorial Day Parade in the country steps off in Doylestown today. It's the 149th edition of the parade which is sponsored by the United Veterans of Doylestown.
The parade, featuring marching bands and several military and veterans groups, ends at Doylestown Cemetery where five veterans' groups will place wreaths to recognize fallen military heroes who died in service to the nation.
In Media, the annual Memorial Day parade begins at State and Edgmont Streets and ends at the courthouse where veterans groups and community leaders will lead ceremonies honoring those who have served our country.
In Philadelphia, Fishtown native and Army Corporal Robert Higgins will be among those remembered during services at the Korean War Memorial at Second and Dock Streets at 11am. Higgns' remains were identified last year as a result of a DNA sample provided by a relative. He was buried in April with military honors in Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County.
Also at 11am today, Cherry Hill residents killed in action since World War II, as well as veterans who died the past year, will be recognized during ceremonies at the Cherry Hill Township Municipal Complex.
At noon today in Christ Church Burial Ground at 5th and Arch streets in Philadelphia, ceremonies honoring Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers buried there will be held. Also to be recognized is Major Charles McEuen, who led the 198th Regiment, 6th Union League during the Civil War. A plaque will be dedicated there today in his honor.
And, former Vietnam Prisoner of War Ralph Galati, who spent 14 months in captivity, will be the keynote speaker during a re-dedication ceremony for the Philadelphia Vietnam Veteran's Memorial at Penn's Landing at 12:30pm.