Last week the Mountain Statesman received a copy of the West Virginia Division of Veterans Affairs 2011 Fiscal Budget proposal. The proposal outlined many budget cuts that the Division was set to make to fall in line with a 3.4 percent budget cut requested by the State on all government agencies.

Part of the proposal concerned eliminating the “Memorial Day Patriotic Exercise” funding of $20,000, (Grafton Parade).

A last minute call from Governor Joe Manchin’s Office, just before press time, by Matt Turner, Communication Director for the Governor’s Office brought the good news that the $20,000 has been restored to the budget as of now. The final decisions concerning the Governor’s budget have not been made as of yet, but for now, the Memorial Day funding is secure.

“Grafton’s Memorial Day Parade is a rich tradition that honors our veterans and we hope that it continues for many more years, regardless of state funding level,” stated Turner. “Our veterans deserve quality services, and it’s important that they continue to receive the benefits and access to programs that are most critical to their well being. While West Virginia has to make reductions in every area, from all agencies, including veterans programs, to ensure we can balance the budget, we want to minimize the impact on our veterans.”

For 143 years, the City of Grafton has maintained a Memorial Day Program. The longest running program in the United States, it is a tradition that goes back generations.

For those who grew up in Taylor County, Memorial Day will always be a treasured part of their childhood memories.

Grandparents and great-grandparents take pride in watching their young ones march in the same parade they did as a child. In essence, the Memorial Day Program and Parade are part of what defines Grafton, as one of the most patriotic cities in the nation.

A recent poll shows how 28 percent of Americans are not fully aware of the significance of Memorial Day. In Taylor County, they know.

Every year, Main Street in Grafton is packed full with all of the children from all three elementary schools proudly carrying little American Flags. At the end of the parade route, the children place the flags on the graves of fallen soldiers.

Every Taylor County School participates in the annual Memorial Day Parade. The children display their skills yearly through patriotic contests and creative outlets such as decorating a float, or performing in the parade or one of the two Memorial Day Programs.

Taylor County is the home of two National Cemeteries and many veteran organizations. The West Virginia National Cemetery, in Pruntytown, and the historic Grafton National Cemetery are an intricate part of Taylor County’s culture.

Every year, the Memorial Day Program, held at the Grafton National Cemetery, has drawn large crowds and visits from distinguished residents from across West Virginia and beyond.