Hundreds of persons lined Williamsport’s main streets yesterday afternoon to watch one of the longest Memorial Day parades held here in years. The event staged annually on the day commemorating war dead; this year was featured with organizations engaged in the Second World War effort. Veterans, civic, fraternal, military, and civilian defense groups were featured in the line of march.

Forming on Maynard Street, the proceeded east on Fourth Street to Mulberry Street south to Third Street and going west to Center. The parade took nearly two hours to cover the route and nearly an hour to pass a given point. The number of marchers was estimated at about 3,000.

Despite the strong sun and 90-degree heat, many of the marchers, many of whom were garbed in heavy uniforms, offered no complaints, and smiled cheerfully as they mopped their brows.

In the line of march were several floats representing the activities of the Red Cross and civilian defense groups. For the first time in years, local units of the federal government were represented, including a huge delegation from the Williamsport Post Office.

Not only Williamsport but towns outside the city were represented in the huge parade, representatives, and musical organizations from Muncy, South Williamsport, Picture Rocks, Loyalsock Township and Hughesville participated in the parade.

Furnishing music for the parade were the Williamsport High School Band, South Williamsport High School Band, the Muncy-Muncy Creek High School Band and drum and bugle corps of various area veterans’ organizations.

For the first time since the Civil War Lycoming County yesterday had no representatives from that conflict to honor, Daniel Null of Cogan Station, the last surviving Civil War veteran having died last December 7.