PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release: May 21, 2021

CONTACTS:

David Haradon, 484-883-3110, daveharadaon@gmail.com

Bill Taylor, 610-960-8471, taylordeskbt@aol.com

Bill Holdsworth, 484-631-8544, wholdsworth@kennettsquarepolice.org

Bo Wright, 610-444-8188, bo@HistoricKennettSquare.com

HEADLINE:  Kennett Memorial Day Parade Planned for 2022

The traditional Kennett Square Memorial Day parade will not occur this year in 2021, yet preparations are already underway for Memorial Day, May 30, 2022.

“The last Memorial Day Parade in Kennett Square occurred in 2019. Since then, we have all pretty much been COVID sheltered”, said Bill Taylor, former Chairman of this annual event with supported by the American Legion since 1948.

The good news is that actions are already underway to assure this celebratory parade continues as a permanent tribute for the Kennett Square community honoring the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.

An initial Parade Development Committee consisting of Community Leader Dave Haradon, Kennett Police Chief and Interim Borough Manager Bill Holdsworth, Historic Kennett Square Executive Director Bo Wright and Past Parade Chairman Bill Taylor are developing a team of action-oriented individuals dedicated to sustaining the Kennett Square Memorial Day parade for the future.

“Bill Taylor, his family and Taylor Oil & Propane company employees dedicated their time, efforts and resources for the past 16 years to assure this event occurred every Memorial Day. Bill has graciously shared his parade knowledge and experience with our committee. We are profoundly grateful for his commitment to this effort.”, said Dave Haradon. “It is a BIG task that will take a lot of dedicated people to execute this 90-minute event.”

Those in supporting this event as organizers, sponsors, and participants can contact the committee at KennettMemorialDayParade@gmail.com.

For 2021, the traditional Kennett Square Memorial Day ceremonies will commence to specifically honor Artilio “Tillie” J. DiAndrea, Sr., lifetime Kennett resident and mushroom grower who served as an Army veteran of World War II serving under General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge in the 86th Blackhawk heavy weapons division, He also served the William W. Fahey Kennett Square American Legion Post 491 and the Kennett Square community for many, many years.

On this 2021 Memorial Day, the American Legion will conduct a series of public tribute ceremonies including at the following times and locations in the Kennett Square area:

9:00 am - VFW Post 5467 monument (704 W Baltimore Pike);

9:45 am - Mary D. Lange Kindergarten Center WWI monument (130 W Mulberry St.);

10:15 am - Union Hill Cemetery (424 N Union St );

11:00 am - St. Patrick’s Cemetery (450 N Union Street ).

All events will include placement of Memorial Day wreaths and a 21-Gun Military Honor Salute.

The St. Patrick’s Cemetery event will include an extended program consisting of:

Past Kennett VFW Commander Mike Pralle - Master of Ceremonies

Former Kennett Mayor Leon Spencer - Sing “God Bless America”

United Methodist Church Rev. Jim Mundell – Tribute to Veteran Artilio “Tillie” J. DiAndrea

VFM and American Legion Guard – Laying of Commemorative Wreaths

St Patrick Church Father Christopher Rogers - Honor Prayers

American Legion Honor Guard - 21 Gun Salute

Matt Grieco – Bugle Taps

Commemorative and beautifully produced 3-minute tribute videos showing pre-COVID Kennett Memorial Day parades for 2018 and 2019 can be viewed on YouTube at http://bit.ly/KSParade2018 and http://bit.ly/KSParade2019.