by Ashley’s Memorial Day Parade: A Proud Tradition in the Wyoming Valley Since 1882
Ashley, a small borough nestled in Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley, proudly holds one of the nation’s longest-running Memorial Day traditions. This year marks the 143rd consecutive Memorial Day parade — a tradition that began on May 30, 1882, with the first “Decoration Day” observance in Ashley.
At exactly 2:30 p.m. on that historic day, townspeople gathered at Ashley’s Town Hall on Main Street to begin the solemn parade. Leading the procession was the Ashley Cornet Band, followed by local schoolchildren, members of the Ancient Order of Foresters, a drum corps, Civil War veterans, and citizens in horse-drawn carriages — all marching with one purpose: to honor fallen Civil War soldiers buried at Ashley Cemetery, now known as Maple Hill Cemetery.
According to a report published in the Wilkes-Barre Record on May 31, 1882, the parade halted at the cemetery, where the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) passed through an open rank formed by the procession. Schoolchildren sang “America” and handed flowers to the veterans and society members, who then decorated the graves of their comrades while the drum corps solemnly played in a circle around the tombstones.
The day concluded with a community dinner at Union Hall, a tradition that helped foster a deep sense of civic pride and remembrance.
Although Ironton, Ohio, is often credited with hosting the nation’s oldest continuous Memorial Day parade, Ashley is widely recognized as home to the oldest continuing parade in Pennsylvania’s Wyoming Valley. The second oldest in the region is the West Side Memorial Day Parade, which began in 1891.
Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday was established after the Civil War to honor soldiers who died in service. It was later expanded after World War I to include all American war dead. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Act officially designated the last Monday in May as Memorial Day.
By 1923, Ashley’s Memorial Day events had grown even more significant. The Wilkes-Barre Record reported that the entire town paused to pay tribute to fallen heroes of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. Businesses closed, and large crowds gathered at the cemetery for memorial services.
That year’s parade featured George Eike, the borough’s last surviving Civil War veteran, who was honored throughout the march. Accompanied by his son, Eike received salutes and heartfelt respect along the parade route. He later attended the Ashley Rescue Hose Company’s annual banquet as the guest of honor. A beloved figure in the community, Eike had lived in Ashley for over 50 years and worked more than four decades as a railroad engineer for the Jersey Central Railroad.
Eike’s military service began in 1863 when he enlisted in the Union Army’s 28th Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served with the 2nd Division, 20th Corps, and participated in seven major battles in the Deep South during the Civil War.
This year’s 143rd parade continues the proud tradition. The 2025 Memorial Day Parade is dedicated to Joseph Sapulak, a founding member of the Ashley Sons of the American Legion. U.S. Army Captain Nathan Herr, a logistics officer for the 340th Military Police Battalion, will serve as this year’s guest of honor.
As the Ashley community gathers once again to honor its heroes, it not only preserves a remarkable legacy but also sets a powerful example of remembrance for generations to come — proudly rooted in the heart of the Wyoming Valley.
