BUCYRUS―The Bratwurst Festival board recently named this year’s grand parade marshal and honorary parade marshals.

With the chosen theme for 2019 being, “Brattie Salutes our Veterans,”  Board President Amanda Myers said, “We wanted to choose and honor people that not only made a significant impact on our community and our festival, but also those who made a significant impact on our freedom by serving our country.”

She said the 2019 Grand Marshal is Trent Cornell.

After graduating in 1967 from Bucyrus High School, where he served as Drum Major for the BHS Marching Band, Cornell enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division where he served as a combat soldier. He participated in the 68th Tet Offensive in the Battle of Hue City, where Cornell’s division recaptured the Citadel and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

Cornell was honorably discharged from the Corps in August of 1969.  Ironically, Cornell deployed in August of 1967, just days before the first Bratwurst Festival.

“It is such an honor to be named Grand Marshal and to be recognized in front of my hometown”, said Cornell.

In his civilian life, Cornell completed cost analysis studies on all 100 B-1 bombers in his job working for Rockwell, who was later bought out by Boeing.  He also worked in the treasurer’s office for the Bucyrus City School District. He married his wife Oriana in 1970.

Known by many as the percussion advisor for BHS Marching Band for 20 years and now entering his 7th season as percussion advisor for the Wynford High School Band, Cornell has a place in the heart of many Bucyrians.

Cornell will be speaking at the Boyd Long Opening Ceremony on the Wyandot Mutual Stage at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 15.  Cornell will also speak at the “Remembering Our Heroes” event at the VFW Post 1078 on Saturday, August 17, at 11 a.m. The public is invited to both events.

This year, as in recent years, the festival will honor several individuals posthumously as Honorary Parade Marshals. Honored this year are hometown hero, Purple Heart recipient and recipient of the Medal of Honor, 1st Lieutenant Harry L. Martin. Martin will be represented at the opening ceremony and in the parades by several family members.

Ronald Barnes, a long time Bratwurst Festival electrician, was a member of the United States Army. He is remembered by fellow Bratwurst Festival committee members as having a kind heart and always being there to do whatever it takes to make things happen. Ron passed away on October 24, 2018.

Lastly, the festival committee has chosen to use the role of Honorary Parade Marshal and name “All POW/MIA”.

“When honoring the men and women of the armed forces, and our veterans, we would be remiss if we did not take a moment to remember all of those who were either captured and held, were killed in action, or are missing in action,” said Bratwurst Festival Director Larry West, who served in the United States Army.

Look for a “rider-less horse” leading the Thursday Bratwurst Festival parade on August 15 at 7 p.m.   The rider-less horse signifies those lost in action.

For more information, visit the festival website.