Sparta's Memorial Day celebration honors fallen soldiers with parade and ceremony

SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) -- Memorial Day celebrations took place in Sparta Monday morning.

Veterans from all over were invited to walk in the city's annual Memorial Day parade beginning at Howard Huff Park.

High school and middle school marching bands and community organizations filled the streets to celebrate service members and those who lost their lives fighting for our freedoms.

The parade was followed by a ceremony at Blyton Park honoring fallen soldiers, which included speakers, music and a pledge of allegiance.

One speaker at the event said the state of Wisconsin sets a good example for how the country should recognize Memorial Day.

"Our former chief of staff in the army had a saying. He said, 'people first, winning matters,' and the people of Wisconsin get it. Really, really nice people first. Really, really hardworking. Winning matters and when you put those two things together, this state understands military service."

The celebration continued with wreath laying at the VFW, along with a Chicken-Q and raffle.

​COPYRIGHT 2024 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.