BUCYRUS—The city will mark Memorial Day this year by honoring military veterans and recognizing 200 years of Bucyrus history.
The Memorial Day Commemoration parade will still step off at 9:30 a.m. May 31 from Washington Square downtown, with a ceremony following at Oakwood Cemetery. But for the first time, the day will also pay tribute to Bucyrus and its 200th birthday.
“It’s a solemn time, but we’re just trying to interject a little more into the event,” said Rhonda Rowland, a member of the Bicentennial Commission. “It’s just really important for us since we’re trying with the Bicentennial this year to promote the ‘Community Unity’ theme.”
The Bicentennial Commission is building a float for the parade, Rowland said, which will carry patriotic flags that say, “We Remember.” The Commission that day will also honor all Crawford County veterans with special seating for the parade, lunch, and transportation if needed.
Free coffee and donuts will be provided before the parade, Rowland said, and a boxed lunch for veterans will be available after the ceremony, courtesy of Katering Kountry Style. Vouchers can be picked up at ahead of time at the American Legion, AMVETS, or VFW Post.
During the ceremony at the Columbarium, the names of over 100 service members killed in action during World War II will be read, Rowland said, and Bucyrus Mayor Jeff Reser will lay a wreath on the Veteran’s Monument. Free carnations will be available to lay on the graves.
The public is also invited to take part in a special Veterans Cemetery Walk from 12 to 3 p.m. About a dozen gravesites will be on the tour, with volunteer actors portraying Bucyrus native Harry L. Martin—a decorated U.S. Marine Corps officer buried there – and others, Rowland said.
Ty Bowers recently accepted the role as chairman of the event to help the Bicentennial Commission, which is represented by Rowland and Randy Fischer. Kelli Patterson is the Bicentennial coordinator.
The yearlong celebration kicked off May 1 with a Bratwurst Drop and other festivities downtown. Rowland said plenty of activities are also on tap in the coming months, including home tours and horse-drawn wagon rides for the Fourth of July weekend.
“The fireworks will be double the size this year. It’s going to be a big weekend for us all three days,” Rowland said. “We live in a beautiful place and we just want to celebrate it by adding to what’s already going on.”
Additional information is available on the Bicentennial Commission website at www.Bucyrus2021.com