Marine Stanley “Curly” Thompson leads the Memorial Day parade carrying a folded flag on Monday, May 29, 2023, in downtown in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)Photos by Albert Riley Jr.
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Hundreds of people filled the Memorial Day parade route from Midtown to downtown on Monday to honor and mourn the men and women who died in service to the U.S. military.
The parade, which was led by Montford Point Marines, Beloit-Rockford Chapter No. 41 President Stanley Thompson, concluded at Beattie Park. The ceremonies continued at Veterans Memorial Hall with a moment of silence, followed by a Memorial Rose ceremony and the playing of Taps by Marine Don Allen.
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The keynote speaker was Marine Sgt. Samuel Johnson, a recruiter for the 4th District Marine Corps. The parade was dedicated to Cpl. Nathan Carlson of Machesney Park, who died June 8, 2022, in a military aircraft crash during a training exercise.
There were 682 veterans from Winnebago County who died in 2022, according to information from Veterans Memorial Hall.
The annual Sinking of the Ship ceremony followed, including a wreath presentation and 21-gun salute by the Rockford Detachment Marine Corp.
Photos
The Girl Scouts of America march in the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29, 2023, in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
Mayor Tom McNamara waves to the crowd during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
The Circle of Change Veterans Dog Program marches the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
The Circle of Change Veterans Dog Program marches the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
The Circle of Change Veterans Dog Program marches the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
The Guilford High School band performs during the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
Community members gather for the Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 29, 2023, in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
Members from all armed forces laid a white rose as a remembrance to fallen soldiers at the Memorial Rose ceremony at Memorial Hall on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
A man salutes members of the military as they pass on Monday, May 29, 2023, during the Memorial Day parade in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
Marine Sgt. Samuel Johnson delivers the keynote speech on Monday, May 29, 2023, at Memorial Day ceremonies in Rockford. He spoke of the fearlessness of Marine Cpl. Nathan Carlson, who died last year in a military aircraft crash. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)
Marine Don Allen play Taps the conclusion on the Memorial Rose Ceremony at Memorial Hall on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Rockford. (Photo by Albert Riley Jr./Special to the Rock River Current)