‘When You Go By These Bows, You Get Such Wonderful Feelings’

Written by Erich Martin

The yellow ribbons lining Hulmeville Road from Hulmeville into Penndel are more than just ribbons decorating the street; to many people, each ribbon has been placed in memory of someone or in honor of someone currently serving in the military.

Every year, the Penndel-Hulmeville Memorial Day Parade Committee organizes the annual parade, and with it is a tradition that means the world to many residents of the local and surrounding areas.

Exactly 233 ribbons line Hulmeville Road in the days surrounding the parade. Oftentimes, the ribbons are left up throughout the year to honor the memory of those they represent. Other times, family members come to collect ribbons they dedicated to their loved ones.

Edward Preston, president of the Penndel-Hulmeville Memorial Day Parade Committee, noted the importance of the ribbons and parade hold in his heart, “It’s very tangible. To me, it really brings back the point of the parade, to be able to look back and remember.

“In history, once it’s gone, it’s gone. It is important for our generation to pass this down,” said Preston in regards to history and the importance of the traditions which the parade continues with every year.

The parade and yellow ribbons bring the community together to remember the current and former members who served in the military.

The ribbons act as a fundraiser as well as a constant reminder of those who serve. “Each ribbon has a name, or several names. Ribbons cost $5 and are laminated and display the individuals name and branch of service,” he said.

While the ribbons and parade are a community effort, the process of making the ribbons is conducted mostly by one family. Denise Rush and her husband and daughter are the driving force, making every ribbon by hand in their home in Middletown Township.

“My son, Stehpen Rush,has been an active member of the military for 10 years, and is stationed in California on the USS Ronald Reagan,” said Denise Rush when asked about her role in the ribbons. “To me, when you go by these bows, you get such wonderful feelings.”

The ribbons stay up all year long, and while some get damaged by the weather or other factors, the ribbons are omnipresent on Hulmeville road. “[The ribbons] serve as a constant reminder wherever you drive,” explained Rush.

Rush has been involved with the  ribbons and parade for the last 11 years.

The ribbons are often very special to the people who buy them and use them in memory or honor of their loved ones, “families do take them home,” explained Preston. “I know one family who takes the ribbons and hangs them out front of their residence,” explained Preston.

“We have three who come in and dedicate the ribbons they buy to everyone in the service,” noted Preston.

The parade this year is being dedicated to the memory of Bob Mason and John Cosgrove, committee members who passed away in the past year.

The parade kicks off this Saturday, May 24 at 9 a.m. on Hulmeville Road in Hulmeville and ends in Penndel.