Bradford will commemorate those to whom the United States is forever indebted for making the ultimate sacrifice with a parade and ceremony this Memorial Day.

The parade line-up will begin at 9:30 a.m. today, with the parade set to kick-off at 10:15 a.m. down Main Street. A ceremony at Veterans Square will take place after the parade, followed by burial at sea honors at the Mechanic Street Bridge.

Army veteran Ed Heasley of Marshburg will be the grand marshal.

Serving as master of ceremonies will be Sr. Master Sgt. Kristofer Goll, operations superintendent with the 179th Security Forces Squadron. Assembly will be Kevin McMurtrie.
The Bradford Area High School Marching Owls will perform the “Star-spangled Banner,” and the Rev. Jay Tennies, pastor of the Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, will give an invocation. Veteran Jon Goble will read “General Logan’s Order of the Day,” followed by the placing of the sprays.
Representing the Frances Sherman VFW Post #212 Ladies Auxiliary will be president Amy Peterson and chaplain Marilyn Thrush; representing American Legion Post #108 Auxiliary will be president Melissa Kirk and chaplain Silvana Reed; and representing Disabled American Veterans McKean County Chapter #72 will be Auxiliary Commander Helen McCanna and Marilyn Thrush, who will lay down the spray.
Ron Peters, commander of VFW Post # 212, will read “Flanders Field.”
The memorial address will be given by state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, after which time will be designated to recognizing veteran Chuck Beattie.
Following the memorial address will be the decoration of symbolic graves of all veterans by a detail representing the various branches of the service, during which the band will play the “Armed Forces Salute.”
Detail commander will be Andy Ackler, and the following people will represent different branches and groups in the military: Army, Carlos Torres; Marines, Andy Ackler; Coast Guard, Andy Dexter; Navy, Keith Reed; Air Force, Norm Moreth; and Jewish veterans, Ray Galle.
American Legion Post #108 will perform a 21-gun rifle salute, and Kevin McMurtrie will perform “Taps.”
After a benediction by the Rev. Stacey Fussell, the Bradford Marching Owls will perform “Semper Fidelis.” Jerry Kohler, Navy, with this year’s Poppy Girl, Skywe Sowa, will present the “In Memoriam to Veterans Lost at Sea.”