05/23/2026
Do you know the history of the Etters VFW Community Memorial Day parade?
Memorial day services had been held sporadically throughout the past at Paddletown - in the church or cemetery. In 2006, after attending a Memorial Day service led by the VFW with very low turnout, a parishioner mentioned how sad it was to see that so few were aware of the service honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom. He proposed that we hold a community event that would bring more people to the VFW's service. The goal was to bring local groups and organizations together to plan a true community event, as had been held many years before. A parade through town to the cemetery and service was determined to be the best option. By 2007, meetings began between representatives from the VFW, local churches, the Newberrytown Fire Company, the township, and the police department. The first parade departed on May 28, 2007 in a light rain from the Newberrytown Fire Company parking lot. From there, we traveled east on York Haven Road to Church Road and the service at the CE Center, followed by the 21-gun salute in the cemetery. Candles were sold and placed on a large wooden cross during the service, with all proceeds going to the Lebanon VA Hospital. Snacks and hot dogs were offered free to the community. The community event was a success - bringing a much larger audience to the Memorial Day service.
In 2008, the starting point was changed to the end of Midway Road, turning west onto York Haven Road to allow a longer string of parade participants. The 2009 parade started from Midway as well. By 2010, the decision was made to begin the parade set up at the Parkville school building on Whisler Road to allow a larger group to gather off the roadway before step-off time. In 2011, enough candles were sold to completely fill the wooden cross with candles for the first time. Each year grew, gaining additional parade participants and observers. After the parade was well-established, the original coordinator, Mike Wolfe, stepped back and passed the torch to the VFW.
Next year, the parade will have it's 20th anniversary. Over the years, the participants, leaders and route has changed, but it continues to fulfill its goal of helping more of the community honor those who have given their lives so that we may have our freedoms.
Photos courtesy of Annette Fillmore 2007
