“One of America’s Most Patriotic Towns” continues the annual tradition of commemorating the patriotic holiday with special music, programs and a parade along Main Street, sponsored by the Town of Marion and VFW Post 4667.
This year’s Memorial Day Parade along Main Street will honor Sgt. Clifford C. Kachur, Korean War Veteran. Sgt. Kachur served in the US Army Air Section, 159th Field Artillery, as an aircraft mechanic from 1950 – 1953. Born Aug. 17, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, Kachur was the youngest of three children, and will celebrate his 95th birthday this August. He resides in Athens, Georgia, but is a frequent visitor to Marion, as his daughter Carol and her husband, Rodney, are co-owners of the Collins House B&B on Main Street. Kachur has three other children, Diane Finger (married to Edward Finger) of King, North Carolina, Gary Kachur (resides with Cliff in Athens), and Alan Kachur of Woodstock, Georgia, 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Kachur will lead the 10 a.m. parade on Monday, May 27. Other floats will honor Smyth County’s veterans from World War II through modern conflicts, Gold Star families, local VFW and American Legion members. Bart Long Auction will honor those who gave their lives in service to our nation with a special horse-drawn wagon.
Marion’s Memorial Day display of crosses and flags on the Smyth County Courthouse lawn and other public areas in the historic downtown, assembled and installed by Town of Marion public works crews and assisted by VFW Post 4667 and community volunteers, will begin on May 20, and the flags will remain on display through early June.
“Each cross and flag represents a veteran who has passed,” said Marion vice-mayor Dr. James Gates.. “This year, we anticipate nearly 2,000 of these ‘silent memorials’. It’s one of the most moving displays you’ll ever see, and there are always people from across the country that stop all hours of the day and night to take pictures.” In addition to the courthouse flags, memorials to veterans who died in battle are placed on the grounds at nearby Royal Oak Presbyterian Church.
Additionally, The VFW will host “Letters From Home”, a nationally-known patriotic tribute show, at the historic Lincoln Theatre Sunday, May 26 at 3 p.m. Admission is free, and tickets are available from any member of the Marion VFW or at the door pending seating availability.
Monday, May 27, the Marion Memorial Day Grand Parade kicks off along Main Street at 10 a.m. All are invited to participate, but all participants must feature a patriotic theme. Lineup is at Poston Street beginning at 9 a.m., and the parade route will be closed to traffic 9:30– 11:30 a.m.
Following the parade, Marion VFW Post 4667 will host a program and community cookout at their post home located at 861 Goolsby Street beginning at noon.
For information on how to apply for a flag memorial, go to
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