CENTERBURG — The village of Centerburg hosted a parade and a short service in the Eastview Cemetery on Monday to celebrate Memorial Day.
The sky was mostly overcast during the parade, as members of the American Legion, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Centerburg High School Marching band marched from downtown along Hartford Avenue to the cemetery. A breeze filled the American flags and kept them waving, while village residents watched from the sidewalks along the route. Two vehicles from the Central Ohio Joint Fire District also participated in the parade.
Upon reaching the cemetery, Bob Smith, post commander of American Legion Post 460, said a few words. Smith said everyone had gathered in the memory of those who had sacrificed for their country.
After Smith completed his opening comments, the marching band played “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while the people gathered sang along.
Mike Morman, American Legion state commander, said Memorial Day was a time to honor American men and women who gave their lives for their country.
“We remember them and honor them,” said Morman.
Morman also told several anecdotes from his own life, one of which was how his mother lost her first husband in World War II. Morman also talked about a friend that he went to school with for most of his childhood who was killed in Vietnam. He said that on this day he remembers both his mother’s first husband and also his childhood friend.
Morman urged the assembled crowd to not only remember those who lost their lives, but also to say a short prayer in remembrance as well. To close his speech, Morman read a poem written by a veteran who served in Korea.
The marching band then played “America the Beautiful,” which was followed by placing wreaths at the grave of the unknown soldier.
A rifle salute and the playing of “Taps” followed, and the ceremony was brought to an end by a closing prayer.
