Jamestown’s Memorial Day parade will focus on the “true meaning” of Memorial Day by honoring America’s fallen soldiers. Patrick Smeraldo, owner of Collaborative Children’s Solutions, said this year’s ceremony will feature the return of the ceremony in Soldier’s Circle at Lake View Cemetery. Pictured is last year’s Memorial Day parade in Jamestown. P-J file photo

Patrick Smeraldo, owner of Collaborative Children’s Solutions, is planning on highlighting the true meaning and honor of Memorial Day with this year’s Jamestown Memorial Day parade and ceremony in Soldier’s Circle at Lake View Cemetery.

Smeraldo said this year’s Memorial Day parade in Jamestown will be the “same type” of parade as last year; however, he explained that this year’s parade and ceremony will be slightly different.

“This will be a little different this year in the fact that I believe it’s been three years since we’ve been able to have the ceremony in Soldier’s Circle in Lake View Cemetery,” he said. “Because of the Blue Star Mothers stepping up and taking over that and helping out with the parade, the city is able to offer that again.”

According to Smeraldo, Jamestown’s Memorial Day parade will start at 10 a.m., going down Fourth Street and Prendergast Avenue before heading to the Lake View Cemetery for the Memorial Day ceremony honoring America’s fallen soldiers.

Smeraldo said the Jamestown Middle School band, the Jamestown High School band, and a “big time drum and bugle corps” from Erie will be featured at this year’s parade, as well as local Cub Scout packs and other groups.

While Smeraldo said registrations for the Memorial Day parade are “heating up,” he said the Memorial Day parade is not like Jamestown’s Christmas parade.

“I’m very particular about protecting the honor of what the day actually stands for,” he said.

Asked about the importance of Memorial Day, Smeraldo said that while the Memorial Day parade used to come by his house every Memorial Day for roughly 20 years when he grew up on Prendergast Avenue, he did not fully realize the “true meaning” and “honor” of Memorial Day until he started helping with the Memorial Day parade last year.

“When I did the Christmas parade, people are lighting up cars and throwing candy and things, and this is 150% away from that,” he said. “Nobody’s there to advertise their business or anything like that. It’s true honor. People would always say, ‘Wow, it’s short,’ or whatever, but it’s not meant to be a big production. It’s an honoring of servicemen and women and the ones we’ve lost, and I stick to that to no end.”

While the Memorial Day parade is expected to be smaller and shorter than Jamestown’s Christmas parade, Smeraldo said a number of politicians will be walking in this year’s parade, honoring America’s fallen heroes. Smeraldo said State Senator George Borrello, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, Mayor Eddie Sundquist, City Council members and county legislators will all be participating in the event.

“The response it has been getting, it’s a big one,” he said.

Smeraldo described the Memorial Day parade as a “Jamestown staple” and “Jamestown tradition.” While he said he was not sure how many years the parade has been a part of Jamestown’s Memorial Day festivities, he emphasized the importance of the parade and ceremony in the cemetery as the community honors those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the nation.