“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. “ ~Joseph Campbell
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge and more.” ~ John F. Kennedy
Memorial Day can traced back to John Logan, an Illinois congressman before the Civil War who then volunteered as a Union soldier, ultimately attaining the rank of general. He issued an order in 1868 to honor those who died in the war. At that time, he was serving as commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization of former Union soldiers.
“The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country,” stated the order. “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance,” it said.
“Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.
“If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.
“Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude,–the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.”
That first year, approximately 5,000 people gathered at Arlington Cemetery to decorate the graves with American flags. Since then, the custom has grown and spread. Let us keep it alive today as well. Attend a service. Pay respects. Pray for our country and those who defend it.
Find a location near you and participate with a grateful heart.
Aurora Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
May 26
9:30 am
American Legion Ceremony begins at 9:30 am at Veterans Memorial Park. The parade begins at 10 am and travels from Veterans Memorial Park (formerly Breezy Point Park) to the Aurora Cemetery.
Edinburg Memorial Day Parade
May 26
Line up is at 10 am and parade starts at 11am
Parade route is from Rocksprings Rd west on Tallmadge Rd than north on St. Rt. 14 to the Edinburg Cemetery were a Memorial Service will take place.
Garrettsville Memorial Day Service & Parade
May 26
Lineup will begin on Maple Avenue at 9:00 am.
Services at Park Cemetery begin at 10:00 am.
Mogadore Memorial Day Parade
May 26
10:00am
The lineup will begin at 9:30 am at the Mogadore Branch Library located at 144 S. Cleveland Avenue.The parade will step off at 10 am on a route that ends at the Mogadore Greenwood Cemetery.
Randolph Memorial Day Parade
May 26
The annual parade begins at 10 a.m. at the township administration building and proceeds up Waterloo Road to S.R. 44 to the Town Hall.
Randolph Fire Department is also hosting it’s annual Pancake Breakfast from 7 am – Noon.
Ravenna Memorial Day Parade & Service
May 26
10 a.m. parade from the American Legion, Main and Elm streets, proceeding west on Main Street to Chestnut Street, ending with a service at Maple Grove Cemetery
After the service, the Memorial Day Association will host a luncheon at the American Legion for parade participants, veterans and their guests.
Rootstown Memorial Day Parade and Flag Raising
May 26
10 am with the lineup starting at 8:30 am
Marks Ave. eastbound on Tallmadge Rd. to Homeland Cemetery
Streetsboro’s 2014 Memorial Day Parade
It will step off at 1 p.m. May 25.
( I do not have the exact location of this. I think the parade will begin at the Campus Elementary School parking lot, progress down Kirby Lane, turn left onto state Route 303 and end at the Streetsboro Plaza parking lot.)
If you have other locations we can add to this list, please leave them in the comments below and we will post them.