“We wanted to keep it going,” was how Vietnam veteran and long-time Fremont Center Memorial Day Parade committee member Tony Wayne described the small but heartfelt remembrance held this past Monday in Fremont Center in the wake of a global pandemic.

Veterans, firemen, civilians and several elected officials paid tribute to the selfless veterans who sacrificed their lives so our nation could remain free in one of the longest running parades in New York State - the 136th Annual Fremont Center Memorial Day Parade.

One such veteran was Sullivan County Director of Veterans Services John Crotty, himself a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

He described how so many veterans had visited his office in Monticello to apply for benefits and “opened up their hearts to me.

“It made the hair stand up on my arm,” Crotty said. “The stories are incredible… just incredible.”

Fremont Center resident Karen Greenberg said, “I am really happy the parade and ceremony were held. I really wanted to remember our veterans on Memorial Day. It was essential for me and means a huge amount.”

And as the veterans laid a wreath and flowers at the memorial celebrating remembrance, purity, devotion and and life everlasting, Wayne added, “We couldn't march but we could still show our respect.”