Photos from the Memorial Day Parade, May 25, 2009, in Appleton, Wisconsin

-- Photos by Jeff Lindsay --

Parades are a big deal in beautiful Appleton, Wisconsin, where we proudly celebrate important holidays like Memorial Day, Flag, Day, the Fourth of July, and Christmas. Here are my photos from the 2009 Memorial Day Parade held on May 25, 2009.

A band leader for Fox Valley Lutheran High School.
Banner carriers for the marching band of Fox Valley Lutheran High School.
The Patriots of Appleton East High School.
More from the Appleton East band. My son is the second from the right.
More from the Appleton East band.
Banners from the Appleton East marching band.
More banners.
The Patriot Guard riding proud.
Close-up of a lady rider in the Patriot Guard.
Where the close-up came from.
My son, Mark Lindsay, and some others in the band from Appleton East High School.
The Lightning Marching Band from Appleton North High School.
A scene from the Appleton West marching band.
The Honor Guard from the American Legion's Johnson-Blessman Post No. 38 of Appeton beginning the parade with a rifle salute. Thank you, veterans!
Several soldiers from an Airborne division of the U.S. Army await the beginning of the parade, where they are greeted by U.S. Representative Steve Kagen. Behind them is our mayor, Tim Hanna.
Two of the soldiers from the U.S. Army at the beginning of the parade, just moments before it begins.
Mayor Hanna and two others (can someone please identify them for me?).
Steven Kagen talking with the veterans of the American Legion who will start the parade with a rifle salute.
Some more veterans. The MIA/POW flag reminds me that we still have soldiers from past and current wars who are not yet accounted for (Missing in Action/Prisoners of War). Is there a chance that some may yet be alive in Vietnam or elsewhere? Do not forget!
Another view of some of our veterans.
Close-up of the band from Appleton North
Another view of Appleton North's large and impressive marching band.
Crowds in Appleton can get a bit unruly, so it's always a good idea to have some crowd control specialists helping out.
The Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy from Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.