Yesterday, Beaufort County residents came together to celebrate Memorial Day 2015 with a series of events that brought many to Washington for fun, food and entertainment.

The Washington Harbor District Alliance held its inaugural Memorial Day celebration with patriotic music from the 82 Airborne Division Band of Fort Bragg, words from Secretary of N.C. Department of Transportation Anthony Tata, a 29-year veteran of the U.S. Army, a marching demonstration from Washington High School’s JROTC and music from the band, Backyard Groove at Festival Park on the waterfront. Following the band, a grand display of fireworks was available at dusk for attendees, courtesy of Beaufort County.

In addition to the WHDA celebration, local veterans organizations held Memorial Day observances in Veterans Park in Washington.

Also on Monday, the City of Washington celebrated the grand opening of its new airport terminal at Washington-Warren Airport, something city officials say will be a big economic boost for the area. The new terminal will be an asset to the community due to its capabilities, which may draw more pilots to Washington.

Washington Mayor Mac Hodges said Washington’s Memorial Day celebration is unique in the sense that other municipalities don’t host any kind of major, formal celebrations.

The series of events that occurred in Washington, from the Veterans Park observance to the grand opening of the airport terminal to the WHDA events, definitely provided an economic boost for Washington, as well as a good look at what Washington has to offer tourists and other visitors from surrounding areas. Washington, in a sense, set the bar for Memorial Day. Local shops and restaurants were open while many are normally closed on Mondays, and throughout the day, people could be seen participating in some or all of the scheduled activities and events. More traffic means more money and there was definitely traffic throughout downtown and other areas.

It was a great day for Washington and Beaufort County, and most importantly, those who have lost their lives in the line of service to the United States were honored for their sacrifice.