AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Portsmouth’s Memorial Day Parade Dates To 1884

By Randy Singleton
Community Affairs Correspondent

PORTSMOUTH
The I.C. Norcom Band (shown)  was one of over 50 groups represented at Portsmouth’s 140th Memorial Day Parade on Monday (May 27), despite inclement weather which brought soaking rain, thunder, and lightning. Hundreds lined the parade route along High Street to see youth and community groups as well as various state and local political leaders participating in the march which honored America’s fallen military service members.  Portsmouth’s Memorial Day Parade is one of the nation’s oldest, having first started in 1884.

Mayor Shannon Glover and Sen. L. Louise Lucas, who represents Portsmouth and Chesapeake in the State Legislature, greet their constituents during the city’s 140th Memorial Day Parade. Also shown continuing the long-standing annual tradition are the Masons who were among some 50 groups marching.

Annual Memorial Day Salute To Afro-Union Soldiers Held In Chesapeake

CHESAPEAKE
This year’s Founders Day ceremony held on Memorial Day to honor the 161st anniversary of the Afro-Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The annual event has been presented and hosted for more than 20 years by Civil War historian and author Dr. E. Curtis Alexander at the Unknown and Known Afro-Union Civil War Soldiers Memorial, 1001 Bells Mill Road.

More than 209,145 Afro-Union soldiers volunteered to “fight for the right to fight, for the right to die in the fight, to save the United States of America and defeat slavery,” said Dr. Alexander.

A special salute to the Descendants of Norfolk County Area Afro-Union Civil War Patriot Heroes was one of the annual highlights.

The Chesapeake Memorial is the only one of its kind in Virginia that is dedicated to saluting Afro-Union soldiers and sailor Patriot Heroes.