BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have served our nation, will be observed on Monday, May 27, 2024. The city of Bucyrus has planned a series of events to honor our veterans, with the day’s activities commencing at Washington Square at 9:00 AM, weather permitting.
The parade, led by Parade Marshal LTC Douglas Wilson, a US Army Retired and a 1960 graduate of Bucyrus High School, will step off at 9:30 AM and head toward Oakwood Cemetery. The program will begin at 10:00 AM at the Lemert Memorial, unless the ground is too wet, in which case it will be moved to the columbarium, located at the northeast corner of the cemetery property.
In case of rain, the parade will be canceled and the program will be moved to Bucyrus Elementary School, 245 Woodlawn Avenue.
This year’s Master of Ceremonies will be Robert “Bob” Laipply, Jr., an Army Veteran and a retired teacher from the Bucyrus City School system. Pastor Jay Scott of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ of rural Upper Sandusky will offer the Invocation and the Benediction for the program.
The keynote speaker is Colonel Keith Newell, USAF Retired, a 1978 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School and a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours including 73 combat missions.
The Bucyrus High School Marching Band will play the National Anthem, while General John A. Logan’s General Order No. 11 will be read by Bucyrus High School Graduate Sawyer Cooper. Fellow BHS Graduate Addison Young will recite President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
The Bucyrus Middle School Marching Band will play Battle Hymn of Republic. The Salute to the Dead will be presented by the Bucyrus Veterans Honor Guard, followed by the playing of Taps and the Echo.
The program will be broadcast later in the day on Facebook Iconic Rock Q92.7 WQEL.
Any Veteran who would like to be in the parade is welcome to participate. Vehicle transportation will be available for those in need, with members of Moose Lodge 669 serving as drivers. Area Scout Troops are also invited to participate in the parade.
This week, members of the Veterans Memorial Society have placed more than 3,500 flags on the graves of Veterans in Bucyrus and surrounding township cemeteries.
American Legion Post 181, located at 123 E. Rensselaer Street, will be having a Hog Roast after the services from 11:00 AM until 1PM. This meal is free to all honorably discharged and active duty Veterans, though family and friends may join for a freewill donation.
Remember to fly your flag every day if possible, but especially on holidays. The proper way to display the flag on Memorial Day is to fly it at half-staff until noon and then back to full-staff after noon.