On Monday, May 26, the Appleton Memorial Day Parade and "Moment of Remembrance'' Ceremony will honor the brave United States servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of American rights and freedoms.
“Memorial Day is a time for our community to come together in reflection and gratitude,” said Corey Otis, City of Appleton Parade Committee Chairperson. “Through the parade and ceremony, we honor those who gave their lives in service and reaffirm our commitment to remembering their sacrifice.”
The Appleton Memorial Day Parade annually pays tribute to servicemen and women who lost their lives in service to the United States of America. This stately event annually draws hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators to Appleton. The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. on Memorial Day. The route starts at the corner of College Avenue and Appleton Street, heads east on College Avenue to Meade Street, north on Meade Street to Pacific Street, and east on Pacific Street ending at the corner of Pacific Street and Owaissa Street.
The Fox Valley Veterans Council, Fast Signs, and Great Northern Corporation have partnered once again for a special tribute for Memorial Day. The Fox Valley Veterans Council has long maintained a list of Outagamie County servicemen and women who perished while serving in the United States military from the Civil War to the present. Fast Signs designed and produced large banners to display these names for the parade. Great Northern Corporation will drive the banners through the Appleton Memorial Day Parade on a semi truck, which will ultimately park outside the entrance of Riverside Cemetery. Parade spectators are encouraged to read the names of the fallen servicemen and women, remember their sacrifice, and reflect upon their service.
The "Moment of Remembrance" ceremony takes place immediately following the Parade in Appleton’s historic Riverside Cemetery, at the George D. Eggleston, G.A.R. monument – 714 North Owaissa Street. A short, second ceremony takes place after the City’s ceremony, at the Appleton American Legion Post No. 38 plot. This plot is located at the entrance of the St. Joseph Cemetery within Riverside Cemetery.
The keynote speaker is Addison Walt, a 17-year-old junior from Appleton North High School. She is a proud captain of her school's forensics team and treasurer for the Appleton Youth Education Initiative. She was also recently elected treasurer for her school's National Honor Society chapter. Outside of school, Addison enjoys coaching youth rugby. She is grateful for the opportunity to honor our veterans at this year's Moment of Remembrance in Appleton.
Other students speaking at this year’s ceremony include Kalayna Small from Appleton East, Maggie Leon from Appleton West, Anna Buschkopf from Fox Valley Lutheran, and MaKenzie Ness from Xavier. The program will feature poignant speeches and poems delivered by these Appleton high school students; remarks from Appleton Mayor Jake Woodford, Chaplain Bob Johnson from American Legion Post 38, and our master of ceremonies; and patriotic music, including live performances from bagpiper Drew Grunwald, MacDowell Male Chorus, and the Appleton City Band. Color and honor guards from various local veteran service organizations will also participate. The ceremony will end in the traditional manner: a rifle salute to our fallen servicemen and women will be performed by members of Appleton American Legion Post 38 and Appleton VFW Post 2778. A bugler will play “Taps'' to close the Moment of Remembrance.
Appleton annually honors our community’s fallen heroes. The Parade Committee collaborated with parade partners to pay tribute to those who died protecting our rights and freedoms. Follow the City of Appleton Parades on Facebook for news and updates on this year’s Memorial Day Parade and Moment of Remembrance ceremony as well as announcements regarding the 74th Flag Day Parade, scheduled for June 14, 2025.
