NORFOLK, Va. — Families lined the streets of Norfolk’s Larchmont neighborhood Monday morning waving flags, cheering on veterans and honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country during the community’s annual Memorial Day parade.
But this year’s event carried an added layer of emotion.
The Fourth Annual Larchmont-Edgewater Memorial Day Parade also honored Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, the Old Dominion University ROTC instructor killed during the March 12 shooting inside Constant Hall.
Watch previous coverage: ODU ROTC cadet who witnessed shooting says Lt. Col. Brandon Shah charged at gunman to save students' lives
Members of ODU’s ROTC program marched through the neighborhood carrying Shah’s memory with them.
“He was just someone that you wanted to follow and emulate as a person,” one ROTC cadet told News 3's Jay Greene.
Another cadet described Shah as a mentor who constantly pushed students to succeed.
“He was a selfless servant, he led by example, he wanted to see everybody do extremely well and be prepared once they commissioned,” the cadet said.
Cadets said Shah would have wanted the focus of the day to remain on honoring those who never made it home.
The parade stretched through the heart of the Larchmont neighborhood with veterans groups, scouts, military tributes, classic cars, pipes and drums and dozens of neighbors gathered along the route.
For Alyssa and Levi May, who watched the parade with their young son Walker, the event was about both patriotism and community.
“Yeah, it was not only a lot of fun, but it was just a great representation of this community,” Alyssa May said. “It was even more special that the honorary grand marshal was Lieutenant Colonel Shah from ODU. It really just tied this whole community and the university together.”
When the banner honoring Shah came down the street alongside ROTC cadets, May said the moment was emotional.
“It gave me chills,” she said. “That event impacted the ODU community, but by proxy, our community being so close, so seeing them out here in a part of this community event really showed that we are one.”
Her husband, Levi May, said seeing neighbors come together on Memorial Day made the event even more meaningful.
“This is the 250th anniversary of our country,” he said. “Just to be able to celebrate as one community is really meaningful.”
The parade and wreath-laying ceremony were organized by the Larchmont-Edgewater Civic League.
Civic league president Michael Crockett said the event was originally planned around the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration, but after Shah’s death, organizers felt it was important to honor him and his service.
“Sometimes talking about one person is more impactful, it’s more meaningful, easier to grasp,” Crockett said during the ceremony. “Sadly, we have one person to hold up this year, a local name face someone who’s a neighbor, a son, a husband, a father, a friend, a mentor, and a champion of those less fortunate.”
Crockett also reflected on the sacrifices made by military members throughout American history.
“Did you know that over 1 million Americans have died in uniform throughout all of America’s conflicts?” he said. “Now I want you to imagine over 1 million Brandon Shahs.”
During the ceremony, Crockett described Shah as a hero who moved toward danger while trying to protect cadets during the shooting inside Constant Hall.
“Brandon Shah was not a victim that day,” Crockett said. “Brandon Shah was a hero and will forever, forever be remembered as one.”
Despite rain moving through the area during part of the event, the parade continued.
After the ceremony, Crockett reflected on why the community remained committed to holding the parade rain or shine.
“Memorial Day, arguably, is the most important holiday America has,” Crockett said. “Because without Memorial Day, you don’t have Fourth of July, you don’t have Presidents Day, you don’t have anything else. More importantly, you don’t have your freedom.”
As taps played and the wreath-laying ceremony came to an end, neighbors stood together in silence — remembering fallen service members and honoring a man many now see as part of that legacy.
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