Memorial Day ceremonies set throughout region
May 22—Area communities are looking to bring back traditional Memorial Day events and continuing along with those that have been occurring for years or decades.
The Ashtabula Memorial Day Parade is returning after a four-year hiatus originally caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The event is scheduled to step off at 11:30 a.m. with Ashtabula Police Captain Jerry Cornelius leading the way.
Organizers are planning a ceremony at Ashtabula Veterans Memorial Park following the ceremony. Kim Finlaw, parade coordinator, said the ceremony was scheduled to occur after the parade in an attempt to increase attendance.
Tim Dibble, commander of the Private Henry Kalinowski Marine Corps League Detachment 782, and Len Jury, commander of the American Legion Post 103 Honor Guard, will lead the ceremony.
Robert Leonard, a 94-year-old veteran, is scheduled to sing the National Anthem.
Saybrook Township is planning a 9 a.m. ceremony at the cemetery with Captain Shawn Hampton of the U.S. Army National Guard as the main speaker, said Saybrook Township Trustee Bob Brobst.
Brobst said the Lakeside High School Band is scheduled to participate in the ceremony as well.
In Geneva, a parade is scheduled to kick off at 9:30 a.m. with Geneva Police Chief John Camper the main speaker at a ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery after the parade is completed.
The Conneaut Memorial Day Ceremony is being coordinated by 1Sgt. Nic Church (U.S. Army Retired) and will be the master of ceremonies for the program and Sgt. Master Rick Arndt U.S. Marines Retired the main speaker.
The parade is scheduled to form at the Conneaut American Legion North Parking Lot at 10:30 a.m. and step off at 10:45 a.m. for the march to city hall and city cemetery.
Conneaut City Manager Nick Sanford is scheduled to sing the National Anthem at the cemetery.
Church said he will read the names of the 63 men from Conneaut who died serving their country.
The Rock Creek Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4953 is inviting all former and active service men and women to participate in the Rock Creek parade, with veterans gathering at 7:40 .am. at the log cabin with kick off at 8 a.m.
The Jefferson Area High School Band is scheduled to march in the parade. Major Jennifer Dyrcz is scheduled to be the guest speaker.
A variety of ceremonies are scheduled throughout the county at township cemeteries including Rays Corners and Lenox, Dorset and Jefferson townships.
Plymouth Township has scheduled a Memorial Day ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at Maple Grove Cemetery.
Madison area veterans have scheduled a wide range of observances, including flag raisings at post homes and Madison Village Park followed by memorial services at more than 10 cemeteries throughout the community and an 11 a.m. parade on Main Street.
