MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon’s Memorial Day parade was blessed with clear skies and warm weather, as a crowd of hundreds watched the 45-minute procession down High Street to Public Square.
Ed Ayers, the parade’s grand marshal, accompanied by his wife, Fran, was driven slowly down the street, followed by vintage automobiles, waving children and politicians, marching bands and motorcycles, veterans in their uniforms, decorated bicycles, fire trucks and Army jeeps. Ron Staats served as master of ceremonies.
At the square, awards were presented. The Best Walking Entry award went to Knox County Career Center’s Air Force Junior ROTC color guard; Best Vehicle was awarded to United Precast Inc.; the Best Float award went to Cub Scout Pack 344; and the Best Overall award was presented to the Down on the Farm 4-H Club.
Mayor Richard Mavis told the crowd about the new flagpole at the square’s Walk of Honor veterans memorial. Made of aluminum and 65 feet tall, it is taller and sturdier than the previous flagpole and can fly larger flags. A plaque bearing the date of its dedication was unveiled.
The ceremony continued with bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace,” music by the East Knox and Mount Vernon high school bands, the laying of wreaths, reading of soldiers’ final letters to their families and a re-enactment of a military funeral. Veterans removed the flag from a casket, folded it and presented it to the deceased veteran’s widow and children. The re-enactment was accompanied by the song, “If You’re Reading This, I’m Already Home.”
President Abraham Lincoln — also known as Gerry Payn of Wooster — read his “Gettysburg Address” and the Heritage Singers of Mount Vernon followed with an a cappella rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
The playing of “Taps” closed the event, and more than 20 people then began an unusual tribute: Doing a pushup for every person killed in action so far during the Iraq War, more than 4,500 pushups.
A few people adjourned to Mound View Cemetery for the traditional Memorial Day remembrance ceremony by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
Following a short reading and a prayer, soldier-re-enactor Chuck Winter told those listening that they should never forget “those who gave their lives for their country and those who served.”
Lincoln, himself a member of the SUV, then addressed the group.
“I appreciated the ceremony this morning. I so appreciate all of our fallen heroes,” he said.
An SUV honor guard presented three black-powder rifle salutes and invited those in attendance to strew flower petals on the graves of Civil War soldiers and veterans of other wars. Mr. Lincoln tipped his black stovepipe hat to the statute of a soldier in the Civil War burial ground, and dropped red rose petals in front of each tombstone.
