Thank A Soldier This Weekend: Blogs on Patch

Several Patch bloggers shared their thoughts on Memorial Day with us this week. Some shared events in your town as well. Check it out and be safe.

Happy Memorial Day!  We hope you have a safe weekend full of delicious cookouts and quality family time. But don't forget to thank those who helped protect this country: Our soldiers. Here's what some of our bloggers have to say about Memorial Day and what it means to them. 1. Rep. Marlene Anielski writes that Memorial Day reminds us of true American heroes. She says, "Taking time to remember the men and women who have died while fighting for our country helps us to gain perspective about the things in life that are really important." Read more here. 2. Air Force mom Jennette Cox writes about lacking patriotism in our country and how we should go back to remembering what it means to take your hat off during the "Star Spangled Banner." She …

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Memorial Day BBQ? 8 Money-Saving Tricks (Sponsored)

Who’s NOT planning a BBQ this weekend? If the weather holds and you’ve got propane or charcoal, chances are, you’re grilling something with your friends and family. Here, new ideas for keeping your costs down. Sponsored by Home Depot.

Here at Patch, we like to be thrifty, so we talked to two barbeque experts and uncovered some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party.   1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead — say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled ribeye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbeque grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but avoid cola which is so acidic it can turn meat into a soggy mess.” Try …

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PHOTOS: Memorial Day Parades Through Kent

Share your photos from yesterday's parade; click on "Upload Photos"

Kent celebrated Memorial Day in true small-town America fashion with a parade under sunny skies Monday morning. Got photos of the family enjoying yesterday's parade? Share them with us by clicking on the "Upload Photos" button.

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UPDATE: Portion of North Mantua Street Dedicated to Army Spc. Adam Hamilton

2007 Kent Roosevelt grad died one year ago today serving in Afghanistan

Editor's note: this story was updated at 9 a.m. May 29, 2012. One year after he died, Adam Hamilton's home town dedicated a portion of the street in front of the high school where he excelled on so many levels in his memory. Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala declared a portion of North Mantua Street in front of Theodore Roosevelt High School and Standing Rock Cemetery, where Hamilton was laid to rest last year, a memorial in honor of the 22-year-old who was the first Kent resident to die while serving in Afghanistan. The dedication, which took place in the midst of Kent's Memorial Day parade, included an unveiling of a sign declaring the road a memorial to Hamilton. Hamilton's father, Scott, said Adam loved his home town and thanked those who …

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Around Town and Gown

A Singular Effort

Paying tribute to our veterans on Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a tough holiday to celebrate, but that's what many of us will do this weekend whether it be with a cookout or by taking a short vacation to celebrate the start of summer. Think about that first word: memorial. America was born fighting a war. In war, people die. It's a sad fact. From 1775 to 1991, almost 42 million Americans served during wartime and 1,190,085 died in service during that time, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Fast forward to the "Global War on Terrorism," which has been marked since Oct. 7, 2001 — the day we attacked al Qaeda in Afghanistan — and 6,442 men and women have died as of May 21, 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. That's 1,196,527 brothers and sisters, fathers …

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Memorial Day Parade Starts at 10am Monday

Parade ends at Standing Rock Cemetery

The Kent Memorial Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday on East Main Street in downtown Kent. The parade will travel west across the Main Street Bridge, turn north onto Gougler Avenue and continue on North Mantua Street to Standing Rock Cemetery. This year, Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala will dedicate a portion of North Mantua Street outside Theodore Roosevelt High School in honor of 2007 graduate Adam Hamilton, who died May 28, 2011, while serving in Afghanistan.

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Matt Fredmonsky

10:47 am on Saturday, May 26, 2012

Except for the publish date, which says May 25, 2012. But duly noted.   more ›

Photos: Memorial Day Celebrated in Kent

Parade returns after construction on parade route canceled it last year

Kent residents welcomed the return of Memorial Day festivities Monday. This year marked the return of the annual parade, which had to be canceled last year because of construction on the parade route.

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Kent Marks Memorial Day

Parade, ceremonies honor the nation's veterans

The Kent community celebrated Memorial Day today with the return of a holiday parade after a year off. Look for our full photo gallery from today's events Tuesday on Kent Patch.

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Get Out: Parade, Farmer's Market, Live Music, Plant Sale and Grilling

Memorial Day means summer is at hand

Throw off the shackles of the long winter and harrowing spring weather for a holiday weekend of relaxation and remembrance. This is the traditional American start to summer. It gives us a chance to celebrate the change of season with food, music and planting, as well as recognize the military men and women who died in defense of our country and the freedoms we hold dear.     1. Memorial Day Parade Where/When: Begins at E. Main St. and Depeyster St., downtown Kent and proceeds to S.R. 43, then north to Standing Rock Cemetery. Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. Why Go: Kent welcomes back the parade after a year off. The American Legion and VFW sponsored event features marching bands, floats, classic cars, community organizations, people in military …

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