FREMONT CENTER — A special tribute to one of their own marked this year’s Memorial Day Parade in Fremont Center. 

It’s tradition for the parade to feature a flag-folding ceremony in honor of a local service member who has passed away. Folded 13 times and tucked tightly in the shape of a triangle, the enduring symbol of the United States is then presented to the loving family of the veteran. 

For many years, that ceremony has been performed by an Army veteran and member of the Fremont Memorial Day Parade Committee, Dennis Bernitt, often with grandson Brett Dirie sharing the solemn duty of making each ceremonial fold.  

This year, the folding ceremony was performed not by Bernitt but in his honor. The Vietnam veteran and longtime Civil War reenactor died in December, prompting the parade committee to honor his service to both his country and his community. 

Rather than fold the flag with his grandfather, Dirie stepped in to accept the tribute. Along with sister Mikayla — who is now serving in the U.S. Army just like her grandfather — he presented the enduring symbol of America to his grandmother, Kathleen.  

The ceremony was a solemn one, but as Army veteran and parade guest speaker Lauren Roman noted, “Some say Memorial Day is not a day to celebrate.”

“But I disagree,” Roman, who is a veteran,  continued. 

Memorial Day, she said, is a day to celebrate those who fought for our country, those who died in the service of others. 

It’s a reminder, she added, “to never forget.”