The falling rain, which held off until ten minutes before the parade’s start, didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for Plympton’s people lining Main Street, who took out their umbrellas and took it in stride.
Leading the parade was Sgt. Steve Teri on the Plympton Police Dept. motorcycle.
Following was the entire complement of Plympton’s fire trucks, and the 1936 Buffalo fire truck lovingly restored under the direction of longtime Plympton resident Donald Vautrinot.
Marchers were led by the Board of Selectmen: newly elected selectman Mark Russo, chairman Christine Joy, and vice-chairman John Traynor.
Mrs. Doris Silva, 99, recipient of the Boston Post Cane as the oldest citizen of the town, was parade marshal.
Twenty-six units made up the Plympton parade, including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Daisy Scouts, town officials, Sauchuk Farms Cow Train, baseball, soccer, and DARE,
The parade reassembled at the Gazebo on the Green where all were welcomed by selectmen.
Selectman Mark Russo offerred a moment of silence for the fallen.
Chloe Tougas, a Dennett Elementary School student, sang the National Anthem like a real professional, to the applause of the audience.
Selectman Joy led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Rev. Anna “Nan” Eaton Butera’s invocation.
Jill Palenstijn, representing the Plympton Garden Club, and Genevieve Walsh, a Dennett school student, presented flowers to Doris Silva, Plympton’s oldest resident, who was honored.
Patricia Sherman, a young widow from Plymouth whose husband was killed in Afghanistan, told what the loss of her husband and her daughter’s father has meant to her family.
Selectman John Traynor introduced Rosella Hoffman, a Dennett Elementary School student who recited her essay, “What Memorial Day Means to Me.”
Jennifer Blindt then recited “In Flanders Field.”
Chloe Tougas returned to the dias to recite The Gettysburg Address.
Boy Scouts Geoffrey Cook, Daniel Lyons, and Chase Perkins placed wreaths in front of the brass plaques honoring veterans from World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict.
Selectman Christine Joy invited all back to the Fire Station where they were able to “Touch a Fire Truck.”
More photos on Page 6.