Annual Memorial Day Parade Held In Bridesburg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – One of the Delaware Valley's oldest Memorial Day parades was held right here in Philadelphia's Bridesburg neighborhood.
Veterans, Mummers, mid-century cars, marching bands and motorcycles -- moving down Richmond Street and applause for all who take part.
And hours before when the breeze was still cool this shady patch was already claimed.
"Every year this is where you have to sit. Right here, you're in the shade. Beginning of the parade, you catch everything," said Maureen Montgomery.
The parade, the dream-come true of World War II veteran Edward Dubeck, a Marine who served in Iwo Jima and came home to found the parade in 1947.
(Reporter:) "When you think about all the people who come out here and support your dream, how does it make you feel?"
Very good, very good," said founder Edward Dubeck.
Though it's billed as Philadelphia's oldest Memorial Day parade, CBS 3 Eyewitness News is told, it does much more.
"The Memorial Day parade is one of the things that keeps this neighborhood so tight-knit," said Margaret Burns.
About five years ago, organizers say the parade almost didn't happen. Times were tough and cash was hard to come by. But the organizers and Bridesburg say they didn't give up, instead they gave it their all.
Raising money to keep the parade going, and all say, they'll keep doing so to honor the men and women who gave their lives and to keep Edward Dubeck's dream alive.
