(June 1, 2017) Several hundred people from Berlin down to Snow Hill and into Pocomoke City attended the Memorial Day Parade held Monday, which was dedicated to the memory of Jesse Turner, the longtime owner of the Berlin Shoe Box and the perennial grand marshal of the event who died at the end of March.
Barbara Purnell, Berlin’s citizen of the year award recipient, stood in for Turner and rode high in a Jeep with LaToya Purnell, her granddaughter and newly minted Snow Hill councilwoman. Berlin Mayor Gee Williams drove the Jeep and was joined by County Commissioner Diana Purnell.
Turner’s widow Agnes watched the parade from the judging box. Gregory Purnell served as emcee and also paid respect to Garry Mumford, the warden of the Worcester County Jail who died after a brief illness in April.
The parade featured 30 entries, most of which acknowledged the debt the parade owned Turner. Organizations to which Turner belonged, like the Shriners and the VFW, were given special notice by Purnell as the parade traveled down Flower Street.
One of the event’s centerpieces was the buggy Turner rode around in during previous parades.
Berlin historically had a Memorial Day parade, but the event had fallen by the wayside until Turner resurrected it in the early 1990s.
Williams gave remarks towards the end of the parade, saying how proud he was to have the community come together as a family to support each other. He also said he knew the event was not based on a happy occasion, but he was happy to see so many people participating.
The parade was not the only focus of attention as church groups, the Masonic Lodge and others set up food stalls and some light vending in front of the multipurpose building on Flower Street.
Following the parade were dance demonstrations at Dr. William Henry Park.
Barbara Purnell, Berlin’s citizen of the year award recipient, stood in for Turner and rode high in a Jeep with LaToya Purnell, her granddaughter and newly minted Snow Hill councilwoman. Berlin Mayor Gee Williams drove the Jeep and was joined by County Commissioner Diana Purnell.
Turner’s widow Agnes watched the parade from the judging box. Gregory Purnell served as emcee and also paid respect to Garry Mumford, the warden of the Worcester County Jail who died after a brief illness in April.
The parade featured 30 entries, most of which acknowledged the debt the parade owned Turner. Organizations to which Turner belonged, like the Shriners and the VFW, were given special notice by Purnell as the parade traveled down Flower Street.
One of the event’s centerpieces was the buggy Turner rode around in during previous parades.
Berlin historically had a Memorial Day parade, but the event had fallen by the wayside until Turner resurrected it in the early 1990s.
Williams gave remarks towards the end of the parade, saying how proud he was to have the community come together as a family to support each other. He also said he knew the event was not based on a happy occasion, but he was happy to see so many people participating.
The parade was not the only focus of attention as church groups, the Masonic Lodge and others set up food stalls and some light vending in front of the multipurpose building on Flower Street.
Following the parade were dance demonstrations at Dr. William Henry Park.