Nahant Memorial Day parade to march on

NAHANT – It’s a slice of Americana that has fallen by the wayside in many larger communities – the Memorial Day parade – but in Nahant it’s ingrained in the fabric of the community.Many communities currently mark Memorial Day with a small service at a VFW Post or cemetery but in Nahant the Memorial Day Parade marches on with participants of all ages and from all walks of life.You would be hard pressed to find a Nahant resident who has not participated in the annual Memorial Day Parade at one time or another and Selectman Richard Lombard, who is a Vietnam veteran, wouldn’t have it any other way.”People in Nahant love their Memorial Day Parade,” he said. “It’s like a Norman Rockwell painting. This parade demonstrates what America is all about – freedom, apple pie and all the things we enjoy.”The parade includes girl scouts, boy scouts, church choirs, community groups, motorized vehicles, color guards, marching bands, floats and even Smokey the Bear.Despite the parade atmosphere, which is festive at times, Memorial Day is a also a day filled with solemn remembrance and reverence.”The point of Memorial Day is we never forget the veterans who gave their lives so we can be free,” Lombard said. “We’re free because of the sacrifices of our veterans. We will never forget the sacrifices these men and women made. I’m a veteran and watching the parade gives me chills. Sometimes I get teary eyed.”Veterans Agent Michael Kairevich, who served in the U.S. Navy, agreed.”A lot of people made sacrifices and gave their lives for this country,” he said. “Here in Nahant we hold our head high and recognize our veterans. It’s part of who we are are as a community and a country.”Lombard said as he watches children participating in the parade and ceremonies, he is confident the tradition will continue year after year and the veterans will never be forgotten.”We are the smallest town in the Commonwealth,” he said. “But we will never forget and we will make sure no one else forgets. No matter how many budget cuts we have I know the town will always find a way to fund the parade because we will never forget. Nahant never, ever forgets the veterans.”