The Rockdale Memorial Day Parade
Hello and thank you for your interest in The Rockdale Memorial Day Parade. It's story as we know it so far is told below and is being updated as we gain more knowledge of it's origins, participants and overall history.
Though the parade may be even older, the earliest published record found is an 1881 Chester Times article reporting on the Decoration Day procession in Rockdale.
Given that the original host organization, G.A.R. Grand Army of the Republic (an organization of and for Union Civil War veterans founded in Decatur, Illinois.) Bradbury Post #149, was formed in 1880 this suggests the parade is 140 years old!
The oldest continuous Memorial Day parade in the U.S. is not much older having been started in Ohio in 1868
Historially, on Memorial Day, citizens, post members, drum corps and bands proceed to Calvary Episcopal Church Cemetery (now Resurrection Episcopal) and decorate the graves of Civil War casualties and other verterans buried there.
From the "Grand Army Scout" Summer 2019 newsletter, we learn that Jones Bradbury, the post's namesake, was born in Otsego County, New York on July 5, 1837. The son of Matthew and Lavina Bradbury, his family moved to Rockdale around 1855.
When the Civil War started, Jones enlisted in Company “B” of the 26th Pennsylvania Infantry on August 27, 1861. He saw action in many battles including Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Bristoe Station, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville.
When the 26th PA mustered out on June 18, 1864, Jones, re-enlisted and transferred to the 99th Pennsylvania Infantry. As a Sergeant in Company “C”, Jones was at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania and then ultimately in the Appomattox Campaign. It was at Sailor’s Creek on April 6, 1865 when he was killed.
Jones Bradbury was brought home to Rockdale and was buried at Episcopal Calvary Cemetery.
Maintained by VFW Bonaventure-Clark Post #6613 for decades.
In danger of going away due to Covid related financial difficulties, along with a decline in membership of Vets.
A newly formed non-profit, Board driven, entity has offered to work with the VFW members and oversee all finances and logistics of the Rockdale Memorial Day Parade moving forward.
This will help insure it's existance in perpetuity.
We estimate costs to be approximately $1800.00 per year. This includes free hot dogs and beverages for attendee's and ice cream/water ices for kids.
This will also include decorations for podium, graves and parade route, bands, DJ etc as well as operational costs such as Port A Potties and trash.
We're trying to build up 2-3 years of costs so we have some reserves and can start working on making the parade better instead of fundraising.
The idea is to also collect donations prior to parade and after, from attendee's.
We also need to design and build a portable podium that will elevate the speakers as
to be visible by the crowd on all sides on the monument.
A PA system is needed as well.
Volunteers and donations of labor/materials are also welcome and appreciated.
Corporate sponsorships are available.
I can be reached at [phone redacted] to discuss any opportunities.
Thank you for looking and god bless the USA
