By Jean Shanley
05/20/08
May 19, 2008 11:32 pm
—
An observance that started during the Civil War continues Monday as Memorial Day ceremonies are held in most communities across Crawford County.
Although historians can’t agree on exactly when the tradition of coming together to remember those who served their country started, most agree it was about the time of the Civil War.
At that time, people placed flowers on the graves of Civil War veterans and then gathered for speeches of remembrance.
It has since expanded to a day where not only veterans are remembered, but others who have died as well.
Although all the other services across the county are set for Monday, the service in Southside Cemetery, Shermansville, will be held one day earlier, at 2 p.m. Sunday, with John Amato, chief master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force Reserves, as guest speaker. The cemetery is located south of Shermansville on Canal Road. Those attending are advised to turn on to Conley just before you get to Route 285 on the right-hand side. The service is open to the community.
n More information: Call 382-3603 or 282-3448.
All other observances are on Monday.
Meadville
Activities in Meadville will begin at 8 a.m. with the High Mark Blue Cross/Blue Shield 5-H Human Race and Citizens Fitness Walk.
At 10, the official parade begins at Penn Plaza, traveling from Terrace Street to Water Strees and then up Chestnut Street to Diamond Park for the official observance at 11.
“In Loving Memory for Sacrifice That Kept Us Free” is the theme for the observance sponsored by the Meadville Area Memorial Day Committee.
The official observance will include a welcome by Joe Galbo III, chairman. A Revere Bell will be struck 11 times at Meadville Baptist Church and a salute to the flag will be led by the Legion of Honor Guard. The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Galbo.
A combined band will perform the national anthem and Lt. Richard Allen, chaplain with the Pennsylvania National Guard, will give the invocation and benediction.
Meadville Mayor Richard Friedberg will greet guests, followed by the program by the guest speaker, retired Brig. Gen. Patricia Genung.
Traditions of Memorial Day will include the recitation of the Gettysburg Address by Damarius Newsome and a recitation of “Flanders Field” by Girl Scout Allyson Golenberke. Both are carrying on traditions started in the early observance of Decoration Day, now called Memorial Day.
Placing of flowers at the Peifer Memorial will be conducted under an escort and drum roll by the 150th Pennsylvania Bucktails re-enactment group.
Dawn Passilla of Jimmie Barrows Navy Mothers Club will pay the traditional tribute to those lost at sea.
Galbo will lead a salute to fallen comrades. Placement of flags of all wars will be done by representatives of various veterans organizations, followed by a rifle salute by the Pennsylvania National Guard, “Taps” by George Engelhardt and Gene Mason, and benediction by Allen.
The combined bands will play “The March King.”
Tolling of bells to honor all veterans will conclude the ceremony.
The colors will be retired at 6 p.m. in a ceremony featuring the Wildcat 106th PVI Regimental Band, which will be in concert at 7 p.m. at the Academy Theatre.
All the programs are open to the public at no charge except the concert at the Academy Theatre; it’s open to the public for a $10 donation.
Saegertown
The annual Memorial Day service will begin at 9 a.m. Monday in the town square. Saegertown High School Band will perform and the color guard and rifle squad from the American Legion will participate, along with auxiliary members. Awards will be presented to students. If it rains, the ceremony will be moved to the American Legion Post Home.
Rocky Glen, Adamsville
Retired Lt. Cmdr. Patricia Potter of Jamestown will be speaker at the Memorial Day program at 1 p.m. in Rocky Glen Cemetery, Adamsville.
Special music will be presented at the program, which is open to the public. It’s sponsored by the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs of Atlantic.
Richmond Township
Richmond Township will have a Memorial Day service Monday at 10 a.m. at the recreation building. Those attending are asked to take a plant or flower to plant on the grounds in honor of the township’s veterans.
Refreshments will be served after the event.
Lakeview Cemetery, Stoneboro
Republican state Sen. Bob Robbins, who is a Vietnam veteran, will be speaker for the annual memorial Day observance in Lakeview Cemetery, Stoneboro, on Monday at 10 a.m.
This a new time from previous years.
Robbins, whose 50th District includes Mercer and Crawford counties and portions of Butler and Lawrence counties, received more than a dozen medals for his war service. He also has received numerous awards for his commitment to the community, state and country.
Music will be provided by the Lakeview High School Marching Band and bagpipes by Mark Bodamer. Chris Gilliland will sing the national anthem.
Lawn chairs may be taken. In case of inclement weather, the observance will be held at Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church across State Route 173 from the cemetery.
The event is sponsored by the Lakeview Ministerium and Scott A. Black Funeral Home.
Linesville, Harmonsburg
Bill Hillgrove, a veteran and an announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers and other sports teams, will be guest speaker at Monday’s Memorial Day service at Linesville and Harmonsburg.
Linesville American Legion Post is the host for the celebration this year. The Linesville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post will provide the speaker and march in the parade.
The observance begins with a parade at 9 a.m. on Harmonsburg, going to Evergreen Cemetery for the service.
At 11, the group will go to Linesville for the ceremony at the town park.
Conneautville, Springboro
Steve Smith, retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, will be speaker for the Memorial Day service Monday in Conneautville. A parade will begin at 10 a.m., leading to Lord Mason Park where the ceremony will be held. Conneautville American Legion Post is in charge.
After the service at Conneautville, the group will go to Spring Cemetery near Springboro for a short program with Smith as speaker.
Conneaut Lake
A traditional parade at Conneaut Lake will begin at 10 a.m. Monday on Sixth Street near the elementary school. The parade will march east on Water Street to Monument Park for the Memorial Day observance.
Cambridge Springs, Venango
Eric Beers, commander of Venango Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, will be speaker at the Cambridge Springs service. A parade will begin at 9 a.m. with the service in the town park starting about 9:10. Lawn chairs may be taken.
The group will go to Venango for a service at 11 in the town park with Dan Imel, commander of the Cambridge Springs American Legion Post, as speaker.
Titusville
Bill Greenlee, retired chief from the U.S. Navy, will be speaker for Titusville’s service.
Memorial Day activities will begin at 8 a.m. when the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post will place wreaths in Woodlawn and St. Catherine’s cemeteries and the American Legion Post will place wreaths and fire rifles at Kerr Hall.
At 9:45, participants will gather in BiLo parking lot for a parade to Scheide Park where the official ceremony will begin about 10. Participating in the ceremony, in addition to the speaker, will be the Titusville High School Band, the firing squad from the VFW, a vocalist who will lead the national anthem, Post Chaplain Charlie Castelluccio, Commander Cecil Dennis, Boy Scouts, and veterans who will place wreaths at the war memorial and read the memorial scroll. “Taps” and the echo will be played buglers from the high school band.
Mercer
Two Crawford County prisoners of war will be recognized as part of the Memorial Day event in Mercer.
The observance starts with the 28th Division “Keystone” Pennsylvania Army National Guard Band on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Mercer County Courthouse Bandstand.
A veterans reception will begin at the same time, 9:30. A parade begins at 11.
The memorial salute will begin at noon in Citizens Cemetery at the foot of Pitt Street. Former prisoners of war will be recognized, including Harold Beerbower and Dailey Halsey, both of Crawford County, who were POWs in the Korean War. Other POWs also will be recognized.
Ray Stone of New York City, a member of the board of the USS Intrepid Association and author of “My Ship, the USS Intrepid,” will be speaker for the ceremony.
Jean Shanley can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at jshanley@meadvilletribune.com.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Photos
