2019 Memorial Day Ceremony

As usual, the Historical Society played an integral part in Rye’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. Watch the video here as we honor local citizens who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

"When I woke up on Memorial Day morning to get ready for this event, I didn’t think much of it. I simply thought it was going to be a regular day. I interviewed John Carey and Margot Clark-Junkins. Hearing their stories would’ve been a very easy task but I decided to listen. I listened to the pain in John's voice as he spoke of his brother's death on D-Day and the emotion that Margot conveyed when she spoke of her heroic grandfather. These people have touched me in ways I didn’t think was possible. I am so grateful to have had this experience and can’t thank Margot and John enough for opening up to me."

- Mari, eighth grader

"After having the opportunity to interview these brave soldiers on Memorial Day, my respect and empathy for veterans increased. I know I will never understand what they have been through, but I feel fortunate that I was able to hear their stories first hand. I was lucky enough to see two varying perspectives on war: the honour and duty of nobly fighting for freedom and the effects that the horror of battle and government’s agenda leaves on it’s soldiers. I feel that every American citizen should understand to the best of their ability what their government’s intentions are in war and the sacrifices and hardships undertaken by their soldiers."

- Lili, eighth grader