Memorial Day 2017: Area honors the fallen
Throughout the country, Americans took time Monday to honor those who lost their lives in battle, and the honor and dedication was prevalent in the area as Wellsville and East Liverpool held their annual Memorial Day morning services.
The village of Wellsville honored those who were lost Monday with their traditional services, which started at the Fourth Street Memorial Park behind the village’s gazebo, and included a parade from downtown to Spring Hill Cemetery.
The Wellsville Veterans Memorial Council handled the village’s services, starting at Fourth Street Memorial Park with the raising of the flags and tributes held for the fallen soldiers, while council member Don Brown encouraged those in attendance to remember those who were lost.
“Always remember, if you can, if you go up to the cemetery, to say thank you when you see the flags,” Brown said.
Mayor Nancy Murray served as the guest speaker for the village’s services and echoed Brown’s sentiment in honoring those fallen.
“Of the million-plus men and women who died in American military service, they are the heroes of our country,” Murray said. “They are men and women who have fought and left unfillable holes to families, communities and hearts in this country. Their bravery and commitment of duty will never be lost.”
The services in Wellsville continued at Spring Hill Cemetery, which included the lighting of the eternal flame by Veterans Memorial Councilman Dale Barnhart, and reading of speeches from Wellsville High School students Emily Skinner, Heather Shafer and Ryan Miller.
Skinner read the Gettysburg Address, Shafer recited Flanders Field and Miller provided the reading of Hallowed Ground.
At both services, the Wellsville High School Marching Band performed musical pieces and the Rev. Mark Blakeley of the Wellsville First Christian Church presented the invocation and benediction, while at the cemetery, trumpeters Olivia Roe and Israel Sluder played Taps while the Wellsville Police Department presented a 21-gun salute.
Meanwhile, East Liverpool also honored those lost in battle with services throughout the morning as well, starting with a memorial service at Broadway Wharf, and resumed later with a parade going through West Fifth and Sixth streets.
Among this year’s participants included the Tri-State Color Guard, members of the East Liverpool, Liverpool Township and St. Clair Township police departments as well as East Liverpool and Negley fire departments, the East Liverpool and Beaver Local marching bands, and the Vietman veterans freedom riders to name a few.
Serving as this year’s grand marshal was Sfc Mark Douglas, a retired recall with 22 years of experience with the U.S. Army. Douglas later joined the Color Guard in a 21-gun salute towards the conclusion of the service.
Veterans City Council chaplain Bill Johnson thanked those for attending and reminded the residents the importance of honoring and thanking those who served and died for this country’s freedoms.
“As we gather here today, we’re gathered to remember all veterans and all branches of the service,” Johnson said.
In one somber moment, Johnson addressed the possible closure of the American Legion Post 275 in Lisbon, which has faced dwindling membership over the years.
He urged those who are veterans to see if they are eligible and join their area legion so that it can remain active and continue to honor those lost.
“I know there are many veterans in this crowd assembled here today. The American Legion, the VFW, the Disabled Veterans are all looking for new members,” Johnson said. “If you are a veteran, seek out one of the posts you qualify for and join. Volunteer to do some of the things that are done to help other veterans throughout the tri-state area. It’s very important that we keep these operations moving forward, and they only move forward if we have participants. If you don’t belong, seek out and participate.”