ASHLAND — People clad in red, white and blue lined Ashland Main Street Monday morning to honor the sacrifices of service members for the annual Memorial Day parade.
Following the parade, people gathered at the Ashland Cemetery to pay their respects to fallen service members.
Sheriff E. Wayne Risner emceed a brief ceremony. He recognized several local veterans and veterans groups, including Veterans of the Year from each Veterans Post. This year, Veterans of the Year were:
- American Legion — Randy Hosler
- Veterans of Foreign Wars — Jeff Moore
- American Veterans — Cindy Kubu
Risner also introduced Melody Barnes, who sang the national anthem, and Kurt Schneider, Ashland County’s sheriff-elect who gave the Memorial Day address.
The event was capped by the D-Battery of Ashland firing a canon and the playing of “Taps,” which typically plays during the U.S. Armed Forces’ memorial ceremonies and military funerals.
Schneider’s speech
Schneider’s comments focused on the meaning of Memorial Day.
He shared with the audience that, when he was younger, he didn’t fully grasp the meaning of the holiday. Instead, he would get more excited about the opportunity to attend a parade and watch “shiny” emergency vehicles drive by.
Eventually, Schneider said he grew into understanding of what the day is truly about.
“It’s to pay tribute to the heroes who’ve joined us today, and those who are here in spirit only,” Schneider said.
Schneider shared a brief history of how Memorial Day came to be a holiday. There are several tales claiming to be the origin for Memorial Day, but he focused on one of them. In Columbus, Mississippi, a Decoration Day took place post-Civil War, in 1866.
According to a local historian in Columbus, Rufus Ward, Decoration Day marked one of the first where soldiers who’d fought on both the Union and Confederate sides of the war received recognition.
Schneider said throughout history, those who served didn’t leave their homes and farms for the love of war and fighting. Instead, they rose to the nation’s call in hopes of giving to their country.
Even today, service members continue to make the ultimate sacrifice in their country’s honor, and to step up to serve.
Still, he recognized even as fallen service members may receive medals, or have buildings and monuments in their name, it doesn’t take away the pain for their loved ones.
That’s why it’s important for Ashland to take the time to remember and honor them on Memorial Day, he said.
“Our devotion is a tribute to the brave men and women who have, and will continue, to fight for our freedom,” Schneider said.
The meaning of Memorial Day
Parade-goers, too, said they felt it was important to support veterans. That’s why Stacy Emery came out to the parade.
Emery has attended several Memorial Day parades in Ashland. She enjoys watching the veterans walk in the parade. Emery said the event offers a chance to support local businesses and citizens.
For Dan Jentes, a Marine Corps veteran, the Memorial Day parade is an event he goes to each year “to honor my fallen brothers.”
Jentes said this year his son marched in the parade as part of Ashland High School’s marching band. It’s the first year his son participated. He thinks it allowed his son an opportunity to honor the sacrifices of those who’ve served.
“They gave up everything,” Jentes said. “I have two sons, and both of them know that and feel that way.”
Below are photos from Ashland’s Memorial Day parade.
