Post Date: 05/23/2018 12:00 PM

Mayor Purzycki is pleased to support the annual efforts of the Wilmington Memorial Day Parade Committee to honor our nation’s deceased war heroes by sharing the following information from the committee about this year’s 151st consecutive Memorial Day parade to be held Wednesday, May 30.

The oldest continuous parade in the country will take place on Wednesday, May 30

The Wilmington Memorial Day Committee invites the public to Wilmington’s 2018 Memorial Day parade, the oldest continuous parade in the country, either as marchers or spectators. This year marks the 151st consecutive observance of the traditional Memorial Day, May 30, in Wilmington.

On May 5, 1868, Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) commander in chief General John Alexander Logan issued General Order #11, which established the Thirtieth Day of May as Memorial Day to honor those who had fallen during the War. The GAR was the largest organization of Union veterans of the Civil War.

That same year, a group of New Castle County citizens formed a Memorial Day Committee. Through their efforts the City of Wilmington conducted ceremonies and activities on May 30 in compliance with General Logan’s Order. Subsequent members of that original Committee have continued in the spirit and effort of the original members, honoring our war dead on May 30.

The parade lines up on Delaware Avenue at Woodlawn Avenue at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30. It steps off at 6 p.m. Participants march east down Delaware Avenue to the Civil War Monument at Broom Street, where we honor the dead of all wars with a memorial service.

We feel it is important to pass on the tradition of honoring those who have given their lives for our country. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/WMDParade/.

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News and information from the Office of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki

John Rago

Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Communications

Mobile: (302) 420-7928

Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov



Paul Ford Jr.

Communications Specialist

Mobile: (302) 530-2171

Email: plford@WilmingtonDE.gov



Dan Sanchez

Digital & Social Media Manager

Mobile: (302) 605-0026

Email: dsanchez@WilmingtonDE.gov