Loudoun Now A crowd returned to Leesburg’s courthouse square Monday morning to participate in the annual Memorial Day Observance, another sign of a return to normalcy following more than a year of pandemic limitations on public gatherings. The keynote speaker for this year’s program was Col. Phil Rusciolelli. The longtime member and past commander of VFW Post 1177 took the podium after many years helping to organize the annual event. In his remarks, Rusciolelli reflected on the patriotism and generosity of the Loudoun community, the roots of Memorial Day, and the importance of the service of the men and women serving in the military.