Lynn parade features tributes, proposal

LYNN – Thousands turned out for the 26th Annual Christmas Parade to witness a tribute to the fallen, together with a nod towards the future.Lynn firefighters honored the victims of Newtown by decorating the front of the fire truck leading the parade with a banner reading “God Bless Sandy Hook Elementary,” flagged by stuffed animals and the green and white colors of the schoolAt the start of the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus placed a wreath at Austin Square in memory of Dillon McManus who was struck and killed in September while crossing the street (his twin brother, Riley, was seriously injured) and Sarah Belleville, also struck and killed by a car.After paying homage to those that lost their lives so tragically, residents of Lynn and surrounding cities got their holiday spirit on watching the procession of floats and cars both new and antique, with drivers dressed familiarly as The Grinch and Cookie Monster and sporting antlers, red noses and Santa hats.The sirens, the holiday music, the voices over the microphones yelling, “Merry Christmas,” and the jingle bells announced the arrival of the countless vehicles.Lynn English High School students Kimberly and Renee Stone were full of nerves uncommon to their usual parade-watching spirit. The two sisters were in on a plot to help their brother, Bobby Stone, 23, propose to Erin Kelly, 26, of Beverly, his girlfriend of three years.?She will never forget this Christmas ever again,” said Kimberly Stone, bouncing up and down with excitement on the corner of Clovelly Street and Western Avenue.Stone had convinced his girlfriend?s cousin, Lynn Fire Capt. Joe Zukas, to stop the parade so he could propose to Kelly as part of the procession. The parade halted around 7 p.m. and Stone climbed out of the fire rescue vehicle with Zukas? daughters, Sydney and Riley Zukas, who were holding a sign that read, “Erin, I love you so much. Will you marry me?”Kelly, wiping away tears of surprise, accepted the diamond ring from her boyfriend as he got down on one knee, with parade-watchers, including 17 of their family members, cheering. The family had all been in on the secret since last summer when Bobby Stone had started planning the surprise.?This is the best Christmas gift ever,” said Kelly, smiling.Joe Zukas said he was happy to be in on the plan to surprise his cousin. “Everybody was on board,” he said. “It worked out perfectly. She totally didn?t know.”Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].