First of all, let me say I am not a prude and love giving candy to the children at Halloween.

I did not go to the parade this year because last year I saw a child running after a piece of candy right into the path of one of the vehicles in the parade.

This is an accident waiting to happen.

This morning, a friend asked if I went to the parade, and when I told her I hadn't, she said she wished someone would write a letter. She was hit in the head with a sour ball and her husband would have had his glasses hit with a Tootsie Pop if he hadn't ducked. She said the children brought bags with them to collect as much candy as they could.

Is this what Memorial Day is all about? I think not!

Last evening I was watching the news coverage of surrounding towns' parades and the people, children and adults were all either sitting in chairs or standing at the curb enjoying the parade, honoring the memories of those that gave us freedom, not running out into the streets to collect candy thrown at them.

Parades have always brought tears to my eyes because someone paid the ultimate sacrifice for me and to see it turned into a candy-throwing and collecting contest makes my heart ache.

Instead of the parade, I went to cemeteries and when I saw a flag on the grave, I said “thank you.”

The parade should be a tribute to our real American heroes as stated in your headline Monday, May 28.

Judy Kilborne

Auburn