Erie region remembers military members with Memorial Day parades, ceremonies

Erie Times-News
·5 min read

For many people, Memorial Day offers a break from work, a day for picnicking or heading to the beach as we mark the unofficial start of the summer season.

But the true purpose of the American holiday, which occurs on the last Monday in May, is to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military, both in war and at peace. Memorial Day can be traced back to Decoration Day, which started after the U.S. Civil War ended in 1865. Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971.

Numerous communities around the Erie region are celebrating with parades and ceremonies. Here are some events that we found.

If you know of another Memorial Day parade or event taking place this weekend, call 814-870-1729 or send details to dana.massing@timesnews.com by Friday at noon. We'll add them to our online story.

From 2019:'We do this in their memory'

Friday-Sunday

  • The Wall that Heals: Friday, noon, through Monday, 2 p.m., Zem Zem Shrine, 2525 W. 38th St. Visit a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile education center. Opening ceremony Friday at noon, after which the wall will be open to visitors around the clock until Monday at 2 p.m. Free. facebook.com/twtherie, vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals

'It tears your heart out': Vietnam War 'Wall that Heals' comes to Erie this weekend

From 2018:Girard marks Memorial Day with parade

Monday

  • Millcreek Wrestling Salute to Service Golf Scramble: 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Scenic Heights Golf Course, 7830 Knoyle Road, Wattsburg. Registration closed. Meal ticket can be purchased for $25 for non-golfers. Meal will be catered by Outlaw Barbecue Revolution. Proceeds benefit Millcreek Wrestling and a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to a local veteran's family in honor of Memorial Day. bit.ly/millcreekgolf

  • Memorial Day ceremonies: 9 a.m., Harmonsburg, and 11 a.m., Linesville. First service is at Evergreen Cemetery, Route 18 and Cemetery Road, Harmonsburg. Second service is at Memorial Park in the center of Linesville. Organized by Linesville VFW Post 7842 in conjunction with American Legion Post 462 Riders. 814-573-4132.

  • Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies: 9 a.m., North East. Service at about 9:15 a.m. at Gibson Park, Routes 20 and 89, North East Borough, followed by parade starting at about 9:45 a.m. and going west on Route 20 to Oak Hill Cemetery, 2615 Cemetery Road, North East Township. Hosted by American Legion Post 105 in conjunction with VFW Post 4789. 814-725-1220.

  • Memorial Day Open House: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sturgeon House, 4302 Avonia Road, Fairview. Fairview Area Historical Society event featuring an exhibit of works by local artists and an exhibit of photos from the Vietnam War. Also, chapel at Fairview Cemetery will be open from 10 a.m. to noon. Free. 814-474-5855, fairviewhistory.org/event/memorial-day-open-house

  • Memorial Day Parade: 10 a.m., Wattsburg. Parade lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. The parade will start at 10 a.m. on South Street and travel on Main Street to Jamestown Street to the Wattsburg Cemetery. 814-739-2048

  • Memorial Day Parade: 10 a.m., Jamestown, New York. Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. on West Fourth Street beginning at Washington Street. The parade will step off at 10 a.m. and travel east down Fourth Street to Prendergast Avenue and continue to Buffalo Street and to Lakeview Cemetery. bit.ly/jamestownparade

  • Memorial Day Parade and ceremony: 10 a.m., Fairview Township. Fairview High School's ROTC will carry the colors in the parade. Lineup starts at 9 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, 7100 West Ridge Road. The parade will march west on West Ridge Road to Maple Street and turn north to the Fairview Cemetery, 7800 Maple St., where there will be a ceremony honoring war dead. 814-474-3442.

  • Memorial Day observance: 10 a.m., Edinboro Cemetery, 362 Erie St., Edinboro. 814-449-4694.

  • Memorial Day Parade, concert and observance: 10 a.m., Meadville. Lineup begins at 8:30 a.m. along Water Street, south of Poplar Street. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a concert at 10:30 a.m. in Diamond Park and a solemn observance there at 11 a.m. cityofmeadville.org/memorialday

  • Memorial Day observance: 11 a.m., Edinboro-McKean VFW Post 740, 11 a.m., 10613 Route 98, Edinboro. 814-449-4694.

  • The Meadville Area Memorial Day Observance Committee is reminding all Meadville area churches that it is customary to toll their bells at noon on Memorial Day to commemorate all those that have lost their lives in service to their country. The official observance is usually timed to end for that tradition. Additionally, the Revere Bell at the First Baptist Church, 353 Chestnut St., will toll at 11 a.m. to mark the commencement of the official observance in Diamond Park.

  • Memorial Day Parade: 11 a.m., Springfield Township. Parade lineup begins at 10:45 a.m. at Springfield Elementary School, 11911 Bond St., East Springfield, and travels to Springfield Cemetery on Route 215, where a service will immediately follow the parade. 814-922-3274.

  • Memorial Day Parade and ceremony: 2 p.m., Girard. Starts at Vine St. and Rice Avenue, heading south to Main Street and east to Church Street and St. John Cemetery. Cemetery ceremony immediately follows the parade. Organized by American Legion Post 494. 814-774-3326.

From 2015:Statue honoring fallen soldiers dedicated in North East

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie region Memorial Day parades set for Monday; ceremonies also planned