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Memorial Day in Thurmont Thurmont, in its early days, was known as Mechanicstown
and music played a major part in community life. At one time, there were three bands and each one was always involved in special events, concerts and parades. There was the
Mechanicstown Brass Band under the direction of T.S. Wireman, the Community Concert Band directed by John W. Sefton and a 16-piece boys band that was very much in demand during
summer months, playing for picnics and area parades. 
I recall my father telling me about the days when he was a member of the Mechanicstown Brass Band and he marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. The band had been hired
to play for the parade which was sponsored by the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) during their National Encampment held in the nation’s capital. It was through the efforts of the
GAR that Memorial Day was established and observed in a majority of the states on May 30th of each year.
It was the Grand Army of the Republic’s Willman Post No. 12 of Mechanicstown that started Memorial Day observance in the community, the first one being on May 31, 1880. It was a big
day, for the churches, organizations and area bands put on a parade followed by a memorial service, a picnic and then a concert. Memorial Day observance in the community continued
for many years.
As a kid growing up in Thurmont, I was first introduced to our local Memorial Day observance in 1927. I was in the second grade and back then it was a tradition for all school
children to march in the Memorial Day parade. There was one special requirement: each child was asked to bring a small bouquet of freshly cut flowers.
On the morning of the parade, which was mostly on Saturdays, I was up early checking mom’s flower bed for flowers to go in my bouquet. If there weren’t very many, I would scout
around to the neighbors and cut some of their flowers — sometimes asking permission and sometimes not. I wanted a nice bouquet and I was always sure of that.
The parade formed at the Old Town Hall and on East Street. North Church Street was then part of Route 15 which came through the center of town. As all of us kids gathered at the town
hall with our flowers, a gentleman by the name of George Hahn, gave each of us an American flag to carry with our flowers. The parade itself formed on East Street and the school kids
were lined up by grade. Leading the parade was the Thurmont High School Band under the direction of Charles C.T. Stull. They really looked sharp, dressed all in white. Following the
band were the town officials, parade committee members and special guest. Then came us school kids, town organizations and then the pride of the local fire company, the old 1927 Mack
fire truck.
We proceeded down East Street and turned right onto Center Street. As we neared the Creager Furniture store, the high school band began to play a lively march and we moved onto East
Main Street and headed through the square to Altamont Avenue. When we reached Altamont, we turned right and proceeded up the hill to the cemetery. It was indeed a beautiful and
impressive sight to see the school children marching in the parade, carrying their flowers and the American flag.
Following a brief memorial service at the grave of the Unknown Dead, a group of veterans gathered all the flowers from the school children and placed them on the graves of all the
veterans buried there. No flowers were wasted; any that were left were placed on nearby graves.
 After the memorial ceremony at the cemetery, the
parade marched down Altamont and headed East on Main Street to Thurmont High School [now Thurmont Middle School] for the annual ball game.
I remember well the Memorial Day observance in
Thurmont in 1941. Through the efforts of Wilbur R. Freeze and several other local baseball fans, the famous Walter P. Johnson was the honored guest of the day. Known as the “Big
Train” he has been claimed by many as one of the greatest of all baseball pitchers. It was in 1907 when he became part of the Washington Senators. In 1913 he was voted most valuable
player in the American League and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
 The Memorial Day parade Grand Marshall in 1941 that year was none
other than the “Big Train” himself. At the ball game that May afternoon, held behind the high school, Johnson found himself on the pitcher’s mound and pitched the first inning for
both the home team and the visiting team.
With the coming of World War II, there was little or no observance of Memorial Day in Thurmont. Over the years that has changed. Today, the Edwin C. Creeger Jr. Post 168 American
Legion of Thurmont holds Memorial Day services each May in Thurmont Memorial Park and welcomes a guest speaker for the occasion.
As Memorial Day approaches us this year, let us remember our service men and women. Let us remember friends and family who have played an important part of our life, but are no
longer with us.
Maybe next year we could revive the old Memorial Day parade and afternoon baseball game. Comments anyone? [For comments, write to
george@thecatoctinbanner.com.]
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