Lynn salutes veterans

LYNN – The sounds of drums, horns and marching could be heard for blocks around North Shore Community College in Lynn Monday afternoon, as participants in the annual Memorial Day parade formed up and rehearsed for the long trek to Pine Grove Cemetery.At around 1:30 p.m., the parade stepped off as a seemingly endless stream of veterans, students, cars, families and elected officials slowly made their way toward City Hall Square and down North Common Street.View a photo gallery of Memorial Day events around Lynn.Ward 5 City Councilor Brendan Crighton said it was an honor to be marching in the parade and thanked Lynn Veterans Director Mike Sweeney for the hard work he puts in organizing the parade year after year.”The parade is really a testament to a lot of our veterans groups and our veterans director Mike Sweeney, who is one of the best directors in the state,” said Crighton. “He’s a very selfless individual.”Dina Robles, a senior at Lynn English, marched for the last time as a member of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Monday. Robles said marching with the JROTC helps remind people about the men and women who are out there serving.”It’s important because even though we’re not in the Marines, we can still have that sense that people are out there are and while we march, people might see their family members in us,” said Robles.School Committee member Charlie Gallo said he’s always impressed with the way the schools and the students come together to honor those who have served.”We have a great JROTC and we have a great school band,” said Gallo. “Many of their family members have served and many are in the service as well.”About an hour after stepping off, the parade made its way up Boston Street, where a crowd of hundreds of spectators waved flags, clapped and took photos as the parade ended at Pine Grove Cemetery.City and state officials, including mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, Councilors at large Dan Cahill and Hong Net, State Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn), State Rep. Steven Walsh (D-Lynn), Gallo, School Committee member Maria Carrasco and Ward 6 Councilor Peter Capano, gathered on a platform in front of the cemetery and waved as the parade passed by.Kennedy said Lynn stands out from other cities and towns for its strong support for its veterans.”I think we have a very strong veterans presence here,” said Kennedy. “I think as a group, the elected officials are truly supportive of them and everything they’ve done for the country. There’s always a very good representation of both local and state officials here for Memorial Day.”Laurie Glynn, of the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program, served in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005, and said Memorial Day is even more meaningful since she deals with veterans on a daily basis.”I help veterans get jobs and help with training, and help them with major barriers to employment,” said Glynn. “I’m a war veteran myself so it’s very meaningful. It’s for all those that have served and passed, my brothers and sisters that have died.”Joan Noble, the past national president of Polish Legion American Veterans Chapter 56 and the head of the Ladies Auxiliary, rode in a Cadillac in the parade Monday. Noble said veterans are very “close and dear” to her heart and called it a “great honor” to be in the parade.”I have been doing this for many, many years,” said Noble. “It gives me an opportunity to show that we are alive and well, and that we’re still remembering the deceased who not only gave so much so that we could come and enjoy the freedoms this country has to offer, but also to remember those that are still suffering in the hospitals the ravages of war.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].