Memorial Day 2017
INSIDE: • Essex Memorial Day Parade routes and road closures • A schedule of this year’s holiday observances • A profile on this year’s honorary parade grand marshal, in memoriam • Poetry from Albert D. Lawton School eighthgraders • A listing of parade committee members, sponsors and volunteers • Ways to celebrate all military members
A special supplement to
Reporter THE ESSEX
in tribute.
The Essex Reporter • May 25, 2017
MEMORIAL DAY The Memorial Day fun starts Friday at 8 a.m. with our multi family yard sale! Friday, May 26th only
The Town of Essex appreciates the sacrifices made by veterans and their families
There’s lots to see... collectibles, old books, sports cards, toys, lawn chairs, kids clothing, jewelry, household items, some small furniture, and so much more!
Inside the shop enjoy
S 25%AVE OF -50% F!
2•
25%-50%off STOREWIDE*
Friday, 5/26 & Saturday, 5/27
*excluding gold, silver & handmade jewelry.
Stop by after the Parade - who knows what you’ll discover! Sorry, no consignments during the event.
Wise Buys!
24 Pinecrest Drive • Essex Jct., VT • 802-316-4199 Open 9:30 - 6:00 • Tues - Sat • www.WiseBuysVT.net
The Town of Essex
81 Main Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 878-1341 www.essex.org
141-147 Pearl St. Essex Jct 802-879-1966 Open 6:59 am Mon-Fri No appointment needed
“We Do It All!”
MEMORIAL DAY
May 25, 2017 • The Essex Reporter • 3
T
he Essex Memorial Day parade is one of the largest in Vermont with over 135 groups within 12 divisions participating every year. The parade takes place at Five Corners in Essex Jct. on Saturday, May 27.
ParaDe rOUTe At 10 a.m., the parade leaves Gate F at the Champlain Valley Exposition, follows the access road to Route 2A and turns right onto Route 2A South (Lincoln St.). It follows Route 2A south to the Essex Jct. Five Corners. Next, the parade turns right onto Route 15 W (Pearl St.), following to Expo Gate B (by Bouchard Pierce), where it will turn right and continue to the dispersal area. The total distance is approximately 1.5 miles. Attention home and business owners near the parade route: Five Corners in Essex Jct. and exits to Route 2A and Pearl Street in Essex will be closed from the hours of 9 a.m. to approximately noon. Please plan your routes accordingly, and thank you for your support of this community event.
This year’s Theme
Honoring All Who Serve OBserVaNCes iNCLUDe: Friday, May 26 7:30 p.m. – Memorial Service The First Congregational Church 39 Main St, Essex Jct.
Thank you Veterans for your service and Thank you to the Parade Committee for organizing the Memorial Day Parade.
8:30 p.m. – Candlelight Vigil Veterans Memorial Park Five Corners, Essex Jct. Immediately following: Open House VFW Post 6689 73 Pearl St., Essex Jct. Saturday, May 27 9:30 a.m. – Service at Veterans Memorial Park Five Corners, Essex Jct. 10 a.m. Parade Begins Noon – Chicken Barbeque VFW Post 6689 73 Pearl St., Essex Jct.
4•
The Essex Reporter • May 25, 2017
MEMORIAL DAY
RAY’S SEAFOOD
MARKET & RESTAURANT
Parade marches forward with first-ever dedication Late committee member to be honorary grand marshal
7 Pinecrest Drive Essex Junction, VT • (802) 879-3611 By KAYLEE SULLIVAN
F
START YOUR SUMMER OFF RIGHT Fresh Seafood Whole Belly Clams Homemade Chowder & Much More! LUNCH • DINNER BULK SEAFOOD FISH • CHICKEN LOBSTER Dine In & Take Out
CREAMEE’S AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND
www.raysseafood.com Open 10am – 8pm Daily Closed Memorial Day
or the first time in procession history, the Essex Memorial Day Parade Committee has named an honorary grand marshal. Mario Marcoux, a longtime committee member and Essex Jct. Lions Club extraordinaire, died in late February at age 74. Honoring their “go-to guy” is committee members’ way of thanking him, member Ed Von Sitas said. “Besides being a friend, he was just a great guy,” Von Sitas added. Always the first to arrive for community service events, Marcoux was constantly ready to help, members said. “He was a Lion through and through,” committee member and fellow Lion, Betsy MaGee, said, noting Marcoux’s helpfulness, love for the community and giving personality. For his colleagues, it just seems right to honor him. Marcoux’s life partner and fiancé, Maggie Belval, said his commitment to the two organizations was strong, yet she wasn’t expecting the dedication. “I was kind of surprised,” she said. Friday night before the parade, set for Saturday, May 27, Belval and Marcoux’s family will accept a gift in his honor at Essex Jct.’s First Congregational Church. Attendees will make their way to Five Corners with lit candles to honor fallen military members. Come Saturday morning, floats and red, white and blue regalia will line the streets of Essex Jct. Traditionally, around two grand marshals are chosen to lead the mile-and-a-half long route.
Mario Marcoux This year, though, military members will kick off the procession after committee members give a speech dedicated to Marcoux, detailing his commitment to the people of Essex. Marcoux served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Once he returned home, he trained as an electrician and worked for Fletcher Allen Healthcare and the former IBM in Essex Jct. His work in the community, however, is what his colleagues remember him for most. Lions members recall his hot chocolate-making at Essex Jct. Parks and Recreation events, flipping burgers for the Lions food booth at the Champlain Valley Fair and, most importantly, taking photographs. With a beaming passion for photography, Marcoux was the official photographer for both the Lions Club and the Memorial Day parade. While no one could recall just how many years Marcoux served
MEMORIAL DAY
May 25, 2017 • The Essex Reporter • 5
A.W. RICH
Funeral Home
Enjoy the DIRECT CREMATION SERVICES parade AND
John Workman, Owner/Director
PHOTO: MARIO MARCOUX COLLECTION
For years, Mario Marcoux was the official Essex Memorial Day Parade Committee photographer. Above is one of his pictures of the local VFW post in a previous year’s parade. This year, the parade committee decided to name the late Marcoux the honorary grand marshal of the procession, set for Saturday, May 27 at 10 a.m.
on the committee, they said his said. camera was strapped to his side Almost all of the parade’s sponthrough it all. sors are back this year, and comBelval has thousands of Mar- mittee members are excited to see coux’s photos, not only from past the culmination of five months of parades, but of the leaves changing planning. colors, his three Von Sitas atgrown children tested to the counton their various less volunteer birthdays and hours spent planwhatever else ning the parade, piqued his intersaying this year est. won’t be the same Over the without Marcoux. years, Marcoux Last year, the made albums of committee chose Betsy MaGee parade photos for Adam Stein, Ed Memorial Day Parade Committee committee memDaudelin and Pat bers. Scheidel as grand As MaGee flipped through a marshals. photo collection from 2010 last With the 2017 procession being week, she recalled the caring, self- a little unconventional, Von Sitas less man who gifted her the album. said it’s important to recognize ev“He didn’t wanna be the center erything Marcoux did in his volunof attention. He just wanted to be teer role. helpful,� she said. “We really miss him,� Von Si“It wasn’t about Mario; it was tas said. about the community, it was about the kids,� she continued. Anyone interested in following in On Memorial Day, it’s all about Marcoux’s footsteps by volunteering recognizing those who have served at the Essex Memorial Day Parade and honoring “those who are liv- is asked to contact committee meming and those who have paid the ber Caroline Ashley at 363-8401 or ultimate price and died,� Von Sitas email essexparade@gmail.com.
Thank you Veterans & remember ourfor veterans. your service to us! Two Chapel Locations
Two Chapel Locations
“He didn’t wanna be the center of attention. He just wanted to be helpful.�
FUNERALS awrichfuneralhomes.com CREMATION directcremationservices.com man PET LOSS M 4FSWJDFT k r o or JPOB t U J c E e John W B r S i /PO 5 ner/D islandmemorials.com
BOE M B O P J JU WE ARE FOR SOLDIERS DROP OFF LOCATION r 5SBEA CELLUJPHONE T FMPS T O O P V P B $SFN OHFNFOU $ r 57 Main Essex Junction • 802-879-4611 SB BSStreet, r 1SF
Ow
1176 Main Street, Fairfax • 802-849-6261
6•
The Essex Reporter • May 25, 2017
MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Celebrate all Military this May
M
emorial Day is celebrated each May to commemorate the people who died in service of the United States. Even though barbecues and visions of upcoming summer weather may command much of the attention come Memorial Day weekend, the holiday really serves as a remembrance for those military members who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, as well as the personnel who continue to protect and serve today. Memorial Day origins Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day and was borne out of the Civil War. On May 30, 1868, Gen. John Logan, a national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, decreed General Order No. 11, which designated the day for the “purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” May 30 was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. It took several years for the first state to recognize the holiday, which New York adopted in 1873. By 1890, all northern states recognized Decoration Day. When the holiday changed from commemorating those who died fighting the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war after World War I, the South began to recognize it as well.
Honoring the military Although Memorial Day pays homage to those who perished fighting for their country, it also is an opportunity to recognize the military members and their families who continue to work to ensure the freedom of Americans. The U.S. Armed Forces is renowned for its size and strength; various sources suggest there are between 1.4 and 1.6 million active service people. The military is comprised of the Army, Army National Guard, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard; each branch also has its own reserve. There are many ways to honor active, reserve and former veterans, as well as those who died in service of their country. Help Veterans of Foreign Wars distribute red poppies as a visual reminder of the military’s efforts. • Volunteer at a veterans’ hospital or visit a wounded veteran at home. • Offer financial, legal or career expertise through the Corporation for National & Community Service (serve.gov). • Help maintain the veteran area of a nearby cemetery. Place flags on all of the graves. • Befriend military families who frequently relocate, making a concerted effort to welcome them into your community. • Educate children about past wars and the services the military provides. • Visit a military museum or historic site. • Observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time for one minute. • Post a message to the troops at the USO website (uso.org).
Caroline Ashley Lorraine Berry Heidi Clark Ed Daudelin
Brad Luck Betsy MaGee Mary Tewarson Ed VonSitas
FRIENDS OF THE ESSEX PARADE 1st Congregational Church of Essex Jct St. James Church of Essex Jct. Village of Essex Jct. Public Works Village of Essex Jct. Town of Essex Essex Police Harton Associates Essex Jct. Color Guard VFW Post 6689 Rev. Mitch Hay Rev. Dan Ames Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer Rev. Mark Mendes Men At First VFW Post 6689 Chittenden Emergency Response Team Essex Middle School Cheerleaders Albert D. Lawton School Essex High School Cheerleaders Champlain Valley Exposition Dunkin Donuts SB Signs Essex Hannaford The Essex Reporter
Essex Lions Club VFW Post 6689 Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 6689 Men’s Auxiliary
BANNER SPONSORS VFW Post 6689 Kaitlyn Raymond State Farm Insurance/Sun Ray Fire & Security Village and Town of Essex Champlain Valley Expo The Essex Reporter AW Rich Funeral Home VT Medical Sleep Disorders SB Signs Maplehurst Flowers and Sam’s Scoop Shop Baymont Inn & Suites Vermont Systems/Don Hamlin Consulting Engineers Many Friends and John Leo Essex Rotary The Essex Agency Backstage Pub & Restaurant
VOLUNTEERS Mitch Stern Glen Ogelby John Clift Ed Guild
Robert Allen Debbie Stern Irene Wrenner Max Levy
Thank You All for Your Courage and Selfless Contribution to Our Community and Our Country! Holly Lemieux Attorney at Law Elder Law • Estate Plans Wills • Trusts Special Needs Planning Incapacity Planning Probate Trust Administration
21 Carmichael St., Suite 201 Essex Junction, VT 05452 Holly@Lemieux-law.com www.plantogetherlaw.com 802-871-5410
MEMORIAL DAY
“Today”
These poems were submitted by two Albert D. Lawton eighth-grade students. Thank you to Hannah and Sam for sharing their words.
Untitled By Hannah Gibbs It feels like my heart fell on the floor and a piece broke off Her piece She’s been gone for a week But it’s felt like a year I miss her I miss her and I feel like I’m never going to see her again I’m lonely My mom, my best friend, is gone I’ve been counting down the days Will she ever come back? I don’t know And that’s the scariest part It’s been eight, eight days counting today Eight days that I’ve peeked at the news I want to, but I’m afraid to see her name come across the screen I’m worried I’m worried about her safety I love my mom and I couldn’t bear to see her leave and not come back But she and I both live with that risk every day I can’t believe that she would leave me But I know she did it because she loves me Her love is not just for me, it’s for you, and everybody She wants to share her love with the world
May 25, 2017 • The Essex Reporter • 7
By Sam Porter Today is a day to pause, Today is a day to remember, Today is a day to honor, Today is a day to respect Protection of a country, Freedom of a people, Valor of a soldier
Courage for one, Shelter for all, Fearlessness of a firefighter Aid to those in need, Rescue to those in peril, Selflessness of an EMT Remember their sacrifice
Duty to a people, Dignity to a city, Bravery of a police officer
Happy Memorial Day • Perennials • Organic Vegetables & Herbs
Premiun Pack Annuals & Veggies
Jumbo Rootballs at our everyday low prices!
• Bedding Plants • Stunning Potted Plants • 10" Baskets
Premium baskets starting at $19.99
Down To Earth Prices On Organic Veggie/Herbs Drive a little save a lot at
Pioneering Organic Gardening Since 1930 6 Weed Road & Rt. 128 North Essex, Vermont 764-5822
What's Hot At Oakwood Farms? Quality, Value & Friendly Staff!
• 12" Baskets In Full Bloom
Our Greenhouses
Will Be Fully Stocked for Memorial Day Weekend
OPEN 8am to 6pm 7 DAYS A WEEk
8•
The Essex Reporter • May 25, 2017
MEMORIAL DAY
WE SALUTE
Reporter THE ESSEX
We salute our servicemen & women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY
• LIGHT TRUCK & AUTO REPAIR • TRUCKING & EXCAVATING
built for great bbq flavor
• FUEL OIL & KEROSENE DELIVERY • SELF STORAGE
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Baron S440 Gas Grill
Makin’ your day a better day today!
COME SEE US AT: 145 JERICHO RD., RT. 15 ESSEX JUNCTION
STOVE & FLAG WORKS
1757 Essex Rd. (Rt. 2A) Williston (802) 878- 5526 stoveandflagworks.com
178 River St. Montpelier (802) 229-0150