A day to remember those who died in service

Chester observed Memorial Day on the traditional “Decoration Day” of May 30th with a parade, prayers, gun salutes, speeches, wreath layings and other ceremonies. The day was warm and sunny as bands from Chester-Andover Elementary and Green Mountain Union High schools played and marched from the North Street Cemetery to the Brook Side Cemetery and finally to the Green, where members of Chester’s American Legion Post No. 67 and Chester Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 723 presided. 7th grader Katherine Pare read her moving and personal essay, “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”/Photos by Shawn Cunningham.

Members of the Ludlow American Legion march during Chester’s Memorial Day parade on Thursday.

The Chester-Andover Elementary School Flag Corps.

Solemn ceremonies at the Brook Side Cemetery.

A quiet flag bearer.

The CAES Marching Band leads the way to the Green.

The Green Mountain Union High Marching Band.

National executive committeeman Richard Farmer addresses the audience about the importance of Memorial Day.

The Chester American Legion Color Guard.

Rapt attention during the POW-MIA ceremony.

The mixed chorus of high school and elementary school students sings America the Beautiful.

Taking a rest from the drums.

Jerry Stewart of the Chester American Legion salutes those Americans who sacrificed their lives during war.