Photos: Radnor's Tribute To Fallen Heros

Thousands of people lined a mile long stretch of Lancaster Avenue in Radnor to watch the hour-long Memorial Day Parade followed by a memorial service at the Radnor War Memorial.

The parade’s line of march included color guards from the US Coast Guard, American Legion, Radnor Police, and the Sons of the American Revolution. In addition to the Radnor Fire Company, units from the Bryn Mawr and Berwyn Fire Companies also participated.

More than a dozen antique cars reminded many of those old enough to remember of the cars that people wanted decades ago. Boy and girl scout troops, civic organizations, and other groups proudly marched the route. 

The finale of the Parade was a large contingent from Valley Forge Military Academy including a marching band, artillery, a horse mounted troop, and ever hardy marching cadets.

The Parade's Grand Marshall Colonel Julia Paparella (Ret.) rode the route in an open convertible. Paparella served in the US Army Nursing Corps for 28 years starting with her WW II experience as a nurse In a field hospital at the Normandy invasion. During the memorial service, Colonel Paparella was presented with an award recognizing her great contributions to corps and country.

Retired Army Lt. Colonel Shawn Phillips, Superintendent of Valley Forge Military Academy, was the keynote speaker of the event. Not only did he recognize the contribution and sacrifice of service persons, but he also reminded those attending that we often lose awareness of the fact that many women have served in or supported the military all the way back to the revolutionary war and their contribution is often unseen and unrecognized.

As the clock reached noon, the memorial service concluded. Hundreds, maybe even over a thousand people had come out to recognize the the sacrifice of military members. In just a bit over two hours, they had paid meaningful tribute.