Westport residents lined Main Rd. to view the annual Memorial Day parade that began at town hall and ended at Beech Grove Cemetery on Monday morning. Families sat along the cemetery wall and set up beach chairs as the police and fire department color guards led the way down Main Rd., followed by politicians, the high school and middle school bands, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and Westport veterans.

The parade marched to the center of the cemetery where a small podium and seating area was surrounded by veterans headstones and American Flags. As the crowd gathered around speakers remembered Westport’s fallen veterans.

Board of Selectmen Chairperson Shana Shufelt spoke about how her uncle’s passing in WWII affected her grandmother and her family.

“My father’s oldest brother was 21 years-old on the morning of November 24, 1943,” she began. “He was aboard the USS Liscome Bay when a Japanese torpedo struck the bomb storage compartment. Twenty three minutes later, The ship and over 600 of it’s men were lost.”

“It took nearly two weeks for the telegram to reach his mother in Lovington, New Mexico, declaring their son, missing in action. It took another year for the telegram that declared that he was presumed killed in action,” she said.

“My grandmother coped with her pain and loss by clinging to the hope available in the words ‘missing’ and ‘presumed.’ It affected the rest of her life and the lives of her seven remaining children,” she said.

“We mark Memorial Day to remember those like Edward, whose lives were cut short in the service of their country,” she said.

“It is important that we keep these memories alive. We brought the children here, so that the next generation will remember. And we must never forget,” Ms. Shufelt said.

State Rep. Paul A. Schmidt III lashed out at a newspaper during his speech during the service.

“A headline in a local newspaper this morning stated, ‘Let the Fun and Spending Begin.’ In fairness to the newspaper, it had plenty of references to the true purpose of Memorial Day. But when I saw that, I thought to myself, ‘My gosh, we always have to remember what the true purpose is,’” he said.

“I’m thankful for all of you that are here. I don’t think that we have ever had a turnout such as we have had today. You recognize the true purpose, the true meaning of Memorial Day.”

Keynote speaker VFW Post 8502 Commander Joe Aquilia stepped down during the service.

“I have been the commander of the VFW since 2007. It’s been a long run and a great honor. But, like every book, there’s a beginning and and ending, and my time has come to end. This old vet is retiring,” Mr. Aquilia said.

He thanked many groups in town that helped the VFW during his time as commander. He thanked the local police and fire departments as well as the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

“And the people of Westport. I thank you all for supporting the post for all of those years,” said Mr. Aquilia. “And last but not least, I want to thank the members of my post for backing me up and being their when I needed them.”

Mr. Aquilia then introduced veteran Don Davidson as the new post commander.

Mr. Davidson spoke briefly about Memorial Day.

“From the Revolutionary War to the present Middle East War, over one million Americans have sacrificed their lives for our country and that is what today is all about,” Mr. Davidson said. “Those Americans…made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and we encourage you to take the time and remind others of what this holiday is about,” said Mr. Davidson.

Shots rang out as the Vietnam Veterans of America saluted those who past before the playing of Taps ended the ceremony.