Memorial Day 2010

SHARON — A parade is always a joyful event. What’s not to bring a smile to every face, as carefully groomed dogs and children in shorts and T-shirts race around the Green, greeting each other and playing in their worlds of make-believe?

But Memorial Day is, for adults, a more somber gathering, and in addition to the giddy playfulness of the children and the dogs there was an air of thoughtfulness and remembrance at Monday’s Memorial Day celebration. Alongside the children steering exuberantly decorated bicycles were veterans of all ages, some marching, others riding in cars. As always, a highlight of the Sharon parade was the antique vehicles, including tractors, wagons and cars, all still purring quietly along despite their advanced years.

Many veterans lined up beside the War Memorial, now 17 years old, and stood at attention throughout a ceremony that honored the servicemen and women who lost their lives for their country.

This year’s guest speaker was Sidney Bogardus, a retired financial services and advertising executive — and former Air Force captain who flew B-47s carrying hydrogen bombs as part of what First Selectman Bob Loucks described as the “Cold War deterrent.â€

As he has in recent years, Loucks hosted Monday’s ceremony, introducing Bogardus as well as the Rev. Terry Ryan, who offered a benediction, and Allison Holst-Grubbe, who sang songs throughout the ceremony including the national anthem and “God Bless America.â€

Bogardus, whose family has had homes in Sharon and New York City since the 1930s, spoke about the different wars of the 20th and 21st centuries. Not all those wars were popular with the American people, he noted, but “without regard to politics or the popular opinion of the moment, soldiers have risen to the occasion and defended our rights when threatened by others around the world.â€

He reflected on the different wars and the freedoms they protected, notably the freedom “to express our opinions without the fear of official sanctions and to make choices based upon our constitutional rights. It is important not only to recognize their contributions but to respect their devotion to duty and to insure that the reasons for which they fight will never be forgotten.â€

Loucks announced the winners of this year’s contest for best-decorated bicycle: Shelby Luminati and Jordan Gdovin. They each received a commemorative coin — and got to press the remote control button that allowed photographer Brian Wilcox to once again take a panoramic photo from the clocktower of the crowd at the ceremony. That photo, and candid shots from throughout the morning, can be purchased online at connecticutphoto.com (password: Sharon). Money raised from the sale of the photos will be donated to the fundraising drive to buy a new playground at Sharon Center School.

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