Community Corner

Photos: Northport Memorial Day Parade 2013

"How do you say thank you to those who went through all this?" Rabbi Paul Swerdlow, Northport VA lead chaplain, asked amid veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq at Northport's Memorial Day remembrance Monday.

"You win the battle for your own soul," he replied. "You be good and do good, live selflessly remembering the example that the veterans both living and dead laid down for us. You live life so well that those who remember the horrors of war look to you with satisfaction and pride and are comforted never feeling for a moment that you weren't worth the price they paid."

Swerdlow's poignant address, delivered to hundreds from the Village Park gazebo, was a capstone for Northport's show of patriotism and support for veterans and active duty military personnel.

Spectators cheered and whistled as veterans with the Northport American Legion Post 694, Sons of the American Legion, Marine Corps League, and Army marched down Main Street to the docks where they placed wreaths at each war memorial.

Mayor George Doll served as the Grand Marshall once again mounted on his majestic white horse, followed by the Northport Pipe and Drum Band, village, town, and county dignitaries, the Northport High School Band, the Northport Fire Department, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.

"Even though I lead the parade," Doll said to his fellow veterans, "I want you men to know that I would follow you anywhere."

Do you have a photo to share? Upload it to our gallery by clicking "upload photo." Don't forget to add a caption.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here