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Rye used to have a parade through the downtown area to celebrate Memorial Day, and in recent years has marked the occasion with a ceremony on the Village Green.
The American Legion Post 128 and the Post's Ladies Auxiliary are working on reviving the parade and are currently planning the event, which has not yet received city approval.
The parade would begin at Station Plaza at the Rye train station and travel down Purchase Street to the Village Green, where a service would be held in memory of those who lost their lives in battle.
"I remember Rye holding a parade every year when I was young, fresh with recent veterans of World War II and Korea, generating a feeling of community pride and patriotism accompanying the celebration of Memorial Day," said Robin Phelps Latimer, president of the Ladies Auxiliary and head of the committee working to re-establish the parade.
"I want to bring back that tradition, and pass it along to those who are young, and to those who are new to the community, to keep for the years to come."
The committee is planning on reaching out to schools, scouts, fire departments and other organizations to take part in the event. George Sczcerba of Post 128 said that the event will need to be coordinated with the police department as well. Sczcerba said that the biggest cost will be the band for the parade, and that the committee is currently researching and trying to find bands to perform.
If approved, the parade would take place on Memorial Day, which is Monday, May 26. A time has not been set, but it would likely start after 9:30 a.m. and conclude no later than 10:15 a.m. before the services are conducted on the Village Green at 10:30 a.m.
Anybody interested in joining the organization committee can contact Phelps Latimer at 967-1819 or by e-mail at Freeberd123@yahoo.com.
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