MOUNT VERNON – The annual Memorial Day Parade will be held starting at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30, with Dave Bevington, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, as parade grand marshal.
Just under 30 participants signed up to be part of the parade, Mayor Matt Starr said.
“I would like to just remind everyone is that Monday is Memorial Day. And again, this is not a day of celebration, but this is a day of remembrance and reflection,” he said during Monday’s council meeting.
This year’s theme is “Honor and Reflect."
The route starts west on East High Street (at George Street) to Gay Street. It then heads south on Gay before turning east on Vine Street. A final turn takes the parade onto Park Street, where it will head north back to East High Street.
At the parade’s end, participants can journey back to the staging area or leave the parade directly.
Parade participants will line up in the staging area beginning at 8 a.m. They should arrive no later than 9 a.m., entering off Edgewood Road.
“This parade is always a wonderful time for the community to come together, to remember and honor those who made the greatest sacrifice,” City Councilmember Amber Keener said.
Megan Bell is the new parade coordinator, Starr said.
Councilmember John Francis, a member of the Patriotic Memorial Committee, said if you visit a cemetery after the parade and see coins on a headstone, that signifies another veteran visited who either served at the same time, the same place or with that person when they were killed.
Remembrance continues at Knox Memorial
The Memorial Day activities will continue with Kevin L. Henthorn, executive director of Knox Veterans Services, acting as master of ceremonies as the event continues on the steps of the Knox Memorial Building at 112 East High St.
Mount Vernon Foursquare Church Pastor Chris Mazzola will offer the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance will follow with Veterans Service Commissioner George Curry leading attendees.
The Heritage Singers will present the National Anthem, with wreath placings by Gold Star Mothers and Daughters of the American Revolution to follow.
Retired Master Sgt. Richard Primm will introduce three cadets in the Air Force Junior ROTC program at the Knox Career Center – Hannah Bressi, Alyssa Cook and Tyler Cochran – who will read their essays. The winning essay will be announced.
The Heritage Singers return to perform "Amazing Grace," and Pastor Mazzola will say the benediction.
AMVETS Post No. 95 will offer a rifle salute with a performance of “Taps” to follow.
The AMVETS Post invites everyone to join them at the post for lunch.
