Middletown residents gather for Memorial Day parade

	Photo by Sam Yu A Children's Patriotic Parade was held Saturday in Middletown Community Park as part of a Memorial Day observance. Leading the parade are Cub Scouts from Pack 476 of Middletown and Pack 278 of Braddock Heights. Carrying the American flag is David Turner and carrying the Maryland flag is Sebastian Dan.
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MIDDLETOWN -- A puppy named Otis showed up Saturday for a Memorial Day parade at Middletown Park. All dressed in red, white and blue, Otis even had a small wagon to ride in.

The 9-week-old pug needed a wagon to keep up with a long line of children riding bicycles, tricycles and scooters. They had all gathered with their parents and grandparents for a parade and ice cream on one of the hottest days so far this year.

Saturday's heat may have irritated some adults, but Otis and the children appeared not to mind. Their focus was on being in a parade. Also featured were hula-hoopers and Cub Scouts.

"Memorial Day is all about honoring our war dead," said Scoutmaster Bill Turner, who led the procession.

Otis' owner, Amy Gray, stood in the sun with her family as people admired the pet.

Her daughter Destiny Gray, 5, made sure parade-goers knew who Otis belonged to.

"This is my puppy," Destiny said as she twirled in a dress adorned with stars.

The Grays made the trip from their home in Pennsylvania to Middletown for a weekend visit with family. Otis came along for the ride.

Both Destiny and Otis hopped into the wagon as more children gathered for the parade.

Terry Pepin, of Middletown, brought her granddaughters, Kaitlin and Sara. Pepin said the parade doubled as an educational moment for her family. It was important for the girls to understand the meaning of Memorial Day, she said.

"We just want to start our weekend right," Pepin said.

Each year, the Middletown Arts and Activities Committee hosts a Memorial Day event for local families. Last year, about 300 area residents showed up, committee members said.

Families are encouraged to bring travel-size toiletries to exchange for ice cream. The toiletries are delivered to Fort Detrick and then distributed to troops in need, committee member Molly Derr said.

"Kids get to see that Memorial Day is not just about a parade and having a day off from school," said Cristine Doyon, a committee member who helped coordinator Saturday's event.

In addition to bringing toiletries, families were encouraged to sign a banner for active-duty service members.

"It's like a huge card," Derr said.

Some families in Saturday's parade had already found ways to say thank you to active-duty military and veterans.

Jodi and Steve Keyfauver made a special sign to honor their neighbor who is away in Afghanistan.

"He is away from his family, fighting for our freedom," Jodi Keyfauver said.

Like Otis, two of the Keyfauvers' children, Lilliana and Maddox, rode in a decorated wagon. Their oldest daughter, Xylea, led the group on her bicycle.

"It's just one of the things we do to bring the community together," Derr said.

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