BUCYRUS ─ The Memorial Day event in Bucyrus will be enhanced in the city’s bicentennial year.
The activity is organized by the Veterans Memorial Society, which partners with the Bucyrus Bicentennial Commission this year. A parade will start at 9:30 a.m. on May 31 at Washington Square, going south on Sandusky and Oakwood Avenues and arriving the Oakwood Cemetery.
Bicentennial coordinator Kelli Patterson said a ceremony will take place at the columbarium next to the main entrance of the cemetery. The ceremony includes a wreath-laying by Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser. The mayor will also read a list of those killed in action in World War II in honor of the fallen soldiers.
At noon, the Bicentennial Commission will hold a Veterans Cemetery Walk, a collaboration with the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce. Patterson said 11 veterans that have passed away will be commemorated. Their descendants will portray their lives for the participants.
Transportation is provided for those who can’t walk around in the cemetery, Patterson said. Carnations will be available for people to lay on graves.
The Bicentennial Commission also works with local catering business Katering Kountry Style to provide veterans a free lunch. Patterson said veterans are encouraged to pick up a voucher at local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Veterans between now and Monday to get the free meal on Memorial Day.
The commission will pass out a lapel pin to all veterans on that day, Patterson said.
“We’re just trying to make our veterans feel special because they’ve given up so much for us,” she said.
The event organizers encourage people to bring a chair or blanket to watch the parade and the ceremony at the Oakwood Cemetery. Parking will be available on the corner of Oakwood and Kaler Avenues, the north side of the cemetery.
A Memorial Day parade in Galion will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, according to the city. The parade will start at the main square in downtown and head east on Harding Way. It turns north onto Fairview Avenue and ends at the Fairview Cemetery, following by a ceremony.
A parade in Crestline organized by VFW Post 2920 will start at 10 a.m. on Monday, according to the organization. It will start at the veterans memorial in front of the Crestline City Hall and head to the Greenlawn Cemetery.
