Roscoe families and veterans turn out for annual Memorial Day parade

Main Street and Harrison Street in Roscoe were lined with hundreds of families enthusiastically waving American flags and wearing red poppies in remembrance of those who served our country.

The Roscoe Memorial Day parade route was shorter this year, but that didn’t seem to interfere with the size of the crowd.

The parade almost didn’t happen because of the small turnout last year. However, attendance almost doubled this year.

The Roscoe Middle School band, under the direction of Diana Boelte, the VFW Post 2955 Color Guard, representatives of the Harlem Roscoe Fire Department, many red, white and blue decorated vehicles, and a few floats followed the parade route to Leland Park.

The parade also included the Roscoe Police Department, Excel Martial Arts, Midwest Siding & Gutters, Ready Repair, Village of Roscoe trustees, Corpro Visual, FCA, and XL Contracting.

From Leland Park, it was a short walk to the Roscoe Cemetery where the Roscoe VFW held a memorial service honoring Roscoe veterans who defended our country during two World Wars, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

VFW Commander Ruben Hernandez spoke of the sacrifices of those who served. Wreaths and flowers were placed on the Unknown Soldier’s grave.

VFW members read a long list of names of veterans from the Roscoe area who lost their lives.

The VFW Post 2955 color guard closed the memorial program with a rifle salute and the playing of Taps.

Following the memorial ceremony, everyone was invited to a Memorial Day picnic at Leland Park sponsored by Hope Evangelical Free Church in Roscoe.

Roscoe VFW Post 2955 Color Guard leads the Memorial Day parade, Monday, May 27, 2024.

Roscoe VFW Post 2955 Commander Ruben Hernandez addressed a large crowd in a service at the Roscoe Cemetery.

The Harlem Roscoe Fire Department marched in the parade.

The Roscoe Middle School Band, under the direction of Diane Boelte, provided music for the Memorial Day Parade and service at the Roscoe Cemetery.

Following the Memorial Day Parade, Hope Evangelical Free Church invited the community to enjoy a picnic lunch at Leland Park in Roscoe. These two little guys had a good time.

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