MARION — Flags and strollers lined Front Street in Marion as the annual Memorial Day parade marched toward Old Landing on Monday, May 29. 

Spectators waited in anticipation as the Sippican School Band led the procession playing patriotic songs such as “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “When the Trumpets Sound.”

The Portuguese American Band followed suit and played “God Bless America.”

Once the crowd reached Old Landing, Major Andrew Bonney of the United States Air Force led a ceremony which started with Marion Select Board Chair Toby Burr addressing the crowd.

“We are here to honor those who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms,” said Burr. “We owe them a debt that can not be fully repaid, today is for them, their families and loved ones.”

Bonney then presented Major Christopher Bonzagni of the US Air Force as the annual guest speaker. 

According to Bonney, Bonzagni enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 2005 as an infantryman and was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006 and 2008.

Bonzagni spoke on his experience and the meaning behind Memorial Day in his speech titled “It is Never Someone Else's Problem.” 

“We [seem] to have grown accustomed in this country to always thinking that it is someone else’s problem, that one is not smart enough, creative enough or lacks the experience needed to get the mission done,” he said. 

“My intent today is to clearly illustrate that this is not the case, it is my experience that men and women in uniform are not special, they made a choice to serve and to honor their commitment … there are no superheroes or life hacks, only those that are willing to act,” said Bonzagni.

The event concluded with the Select Board placing a wreath on the Veteran’s Memorial at Old Landing.