Despite displays of storms and thunder in the morning, the weather cooperated perfectly as the Honesdale community came out in big numbers on Memorial Day to honor its veterans and residents now serving in the military. Streams of spectators crowded every side of the route from the upper borough to

Central Park where a dedication ceremony was held.

Parade chair Jim Brennan said the outcome of the parade “exceeded last year’s expectations.”

This year’s grand marshal was Jim Burke, who served in the Korean War in the 40th Calvary Division, in battles at Heart Break Ride and Punch Bowl. U.S. Army Major Phillip Cordaro was the speaker after the parade. Cordaro served in Albania and Kosovo in 1999 and was in Iraq from 2004 to 2005. He commanded the 38th Ordinance Company, deployed with the company Mosul, and was in Iraq from 2009 to 2010 to support Operations Iraqi Freedom VII and New Dawn.

Other Memorial Day celebrations were held in Hawley on Sunday and in South Canaan, Dingmans Ferry, Newfoundland, Damascus and Sterling, on Monday. The New York community of Roscoe hosted a parade, and the Town of Lumberland held an observance. The Tusten Settlement Association opened the Ten Mile River Baptist Church for their annual Memorial Day service on Sunday.