Are you ready for the Memorial Day Parade in Port Richmond? Here’s all the information you will need to plan and get set for one of Port Richmond’s longest and most cherished traditions to honor our soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to celebrate being the best nation in the universe.

Parade Route: The 2012 Port Richmond Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. sharp and line up starts at 9 a.m. in front of St. Adalbert’s R.C. Church on Allegheny Avenue. The parade will follow this route: North on Thompson Street, West on Venango, South on Belgrade, East on Clearfield, North on Thompson, West on Allegheny, conclusion at Campbell Square Park.

Parking: For the last time: The police do not want to have to tow cars parked along the parade route and you do not want your car towed. To bypass that, please remove your car if it’s parked on the parade route by 9 a.m. on Memorial Day. As soon as the parade is over, go ahead and park it back. We have some oversized military vehicles as well as other parade convoys that really need the entire street for the parade. No parking signs will be posted on Thursday, May 24 as a reminder. Your participation is needed and appreciated.

Flag Raising Ceremony: The parade concludes at Campbell Square Park at Belgrade Street and Allegheny Avenue with an official retiring the American Flag in the memorial garden and then raising a new one. Residents and parade watchers are encouraged to get to the park by 11:30 a.m. for this event. The Sounds of Liberty Barbershop Chorus will entertain and perform a playlist of Americana favorites. We will honor our Grand Marshal, HM3 (FMF) Raymond Hatcher of the United States Navy. The Friends of Campbell Square will be selling refreshments.

Grand Marshal: Port Richmond’s own Ray Hatcher will be the 2012 Parade Grand Marshal. In February 2007, Hatcher enlisted in the United States Navy and was sent to Great Lakes, Illinois for basic training and hospital corp school. That September, he was sent to Yokosuka, Japan to work in the Naval Hospital and was promoted to Petty Officer 3rd Class.

In December 2010, HM3 Hatcher was sent to Southern Marjeh, Afghanistan where he earned the Navy & Marine Corp Achievement medal for Actions During Combat Operations. He also earned the Fleet Marine Force Warfare Device. Five years after enlisting and serving his country proud, HM3 Ray Hatcher returned to his hometown of Port Richmond, Philadelphia.

Parade Participants: It’s not too late to march in the 2012 Port Richmond Memorial Day Parade. All schools, sport associations, dance troupes, Boys and Girl Scouts, churches, military organizations and other groups are invited to march and join our parade tradition. Line up starts at 9 a.m.  Contact the parade committee at 215-816-3363 to get in the parade.

Can’t walk the parade route? The SugarHouse Casino has generously offered the SugarHouse Trolley Express to ride the parade route and allow elderly and disabled parade participants to enjoy the parade in style. Be at Thompson and Allegheny Avenue at 9:30 am and board the trolley. Thanks SugarHouse: How sweet of you!

Parade Fundraising: This parade ain’t free. Organizing it costs upward of $10,000. Local businesses and residents can make checks payable to PROPAC, P.O. BOX 5990, Phila., PA 19137 or drop a few dollars in one of our coin drop buckets the day before the parade: Sunday May 27th as we hit the corners throughout Port Richmond. We will even pick up donations, call 215-816-3363 or email portrichmondpat@yahoo.com for more information.

Remember to come out and watch the parade along the route.  If your house is on the route, please fly your flag high and proud. We are the Land of the Free because we’re the Home of the Brave-always remember that.