The city’s annual Memorial Day Parade drew one of the largest
crowds in its 10-year history Monday, with several thousand people
lining 10th Street to honor fallen heroes from Gilroy and
beyond.
Gilroy – The city’s annual Memorial Day Parade drew one of the largest crowds in its 10-year history Monday, with several thousand people lining 10th Street to honor fallen heroes from Gilroy and beyond.
“It was probably the largest crowd I’ve ever seen at the parade,” said Don Gage, a former mayor who now serves as a county supervisor. “It’s a gratifying feeling that people come out to these events to remember the folks that have given their lives for this country. I’m just glad to see that people remember it’s more than just a day off work.”
Before the aerial flyovers, before the sirens and music, Gage and several dozen Gilroyans paid tribute to the city’s fallen heroes at a morning ceremony at St. Mary cemetery on First Street.
“We pray today that we may never glorify war but see it as a failure in what is best in our humanity,” said the Rev. Dan Derry. “We pray that the leadership of our nation and all nations will strive to overcome the causes of war … Our best way to honor those who have died in the service of our country is to work toward a world where there’s no hatred or warfare.”
As in past years, the ceremony included a reading of the names of 77 Gilroyans who have died in battle since World War I. Gage read a list that included his father’s name, Donald F. Gage, who died in World War II before having a chance to meet his son. Some onlookers cried and shook their heads in disbelief as Gage continued speaking names for several minutes. The list concluded with Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jeramy Ailes, a 22-year-old Gilroy High School graduate who died fighting in Iraq in November 2004. He was the first Gilroyan to die in combat since Vietnam.
Ailes’ parents and several of his sisters attended the ceremony in T-shirts bearing a photo of Ailes in a black Stetson. The young man was widely know for his love of country music and his infectious sense of humor.
“It’s good that the city takes the time to honor all those who’ve fallen,” said Ailes’ father Joel. “Of course, every day is Memorial Day to me, but it’s a reminder that there are other families out there still going through the mourning process.”
The gray skies that hung over the morning ceremony lifted in time for the 11am start of the parade down 10th Street. Roughly 90 floats participated in the event this year, including traditional favorites such as the Santa Clara Valley Thunderbird Club, the Gilroy Fire Department and youth violinists with the Suzuki String Academy.
The floats that pulled down top honors in judging this year both featured re-creations of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima during World War II. First place went to South Valley Community Church, and second place went to nonprofit South County Housing, which had Marine Corps veterans who served in Iraq re-enacting the flag-raising.
“It’s like our theme says – ‘Always remember,’ ” said Councilman Craig Gartman, who has organized the parade for the past five years. “This a day to remember those people that served who didn’t have a chance to become veterans and come home and be able to have days of observance. We have to remember that they gave the ultimate price for our freedom.”
Jean and John Tinsley watched the floats pass with their son and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, all visiting from San Jose. The Tinsleys moved from Dallas several years ago and have made the most of the Memorial Day Parades ever since.
“This is our third year,” said Jean Tinsley, adding: “It’s quintessential small-town America.”
Kathleen Schreckengost, who described herself as a “military brat,” said she comes out most years to catch the Gilroy High School Marching Band.
“A parade’s got to have music,” said Schreckengost, who said the day has added meaning for her because her father served in World War II.
“My father passed away two years ago just before Memorial Day,” she said, “so this is always a time for me to reflect.”
While many parade-watchers had some connection to the grim reality of war, others simply came out to investigate the commotion. The Martinez family moved from Los Banos to Gilroy four months ago and was surprised to see 10th Street shut down.
“The parade is a great thing,” said Araceli Martinez, 21. “It’s nice to have this kind of event. I don’t think they had anything like this in Los Banos. If they did, we never went.”
The Memorial Day Parade, held the last Monday each May, has become a major event in Gilroy in recent years. The national event dates back to commemorations of those who died fighting in the Civil War, though it was not celebrated uniformly across the country until after World War I.
Following the city’s parade, an estimated 4,000 people made their way to Christmas Hill Park for an afternoon of music and family events. More than 100 people gathered for a hip-hop dance battle near the park’s gazebo.
Waves of Illusion, a dance group in Hollister, faced off against DSR, a Gilroy group.
“It’s been awesome,” said Isabel Torres, the director of Waves of Illusion who brought more than a dozen students to perform. “We’re adding a whole new dimension of dance to the hip-hop movement.”
Bounce houses and rock climbing were also a big draw for kids, including the daughter of Amanda Flores, who has attended the parade for a decade.
“It’s nice to see everybody here to support our veterans, and my kids are also having a blast,” she said.
First time attendee Anthony Hernandez, 31, brought his two children to hear the Corvairs play covers of ’60s-era music.
“I like how it’s a family event,” Hernandez said, adding: “You don’t see alcohol so it’s a good thing. Just seeing everybody have fun makes you have fun.”
The turnout impressed Jesse Sanchez, head of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6309.
“It was fantastic to see the appreciation and warmth, all the community getting together to show their respect,” he said. “It was great to see the young ones out here too. They’re the ones who will keep the memory alive when us old-timers are gone.”
