Berlin holds annual Memorial Day parade

BERLIN, Md – The Memorial Day parade on Flower Street is one of Berlin’s favorite traditions. The community comes together to celebrate, but the town makes sure no one forgets why they’re celebrating in the first place.

“We take it for granted some time, but freedom costs you something,” said veteran Albert Johnson. Johnson led the parade, marching in the color guard.

He said that Berlin’s Memorial Day celebration is always incredibly meaningful: “It’s an awesome feeling to see people come out like this and unify together.”

For Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall, it’s all about striking that balance between celebrating and remembering: “We try to do both, right? We have our place for paying homage to those that have given the ultimate sacrifice, we all appreciate that service and really want to honor that.”

Berlin held a special Memorial Day service on Sunday, reading names and offering prayers for those passed in active duty, but Mayor Tyndall thinks that celebration and honor are not mutually exclusive: “Today is about a day of celebration, right? We’re celebrating their lives. We’re celebrating our community. We’re celebrating what they fought for.”

It’s another chapter in Berlin’s decade’s-long Memorial Day tradition. A day they share with the rest of the nation, but something special to the town.

“Everybody loves to look forward to this. Every year where people come together, buy food, eat food, celebrate Memorial Day. It’s something to remember,” said Johnson.