Memorial Day services are planned this weekend in Malvern, Minerva and the surrounding areas. Residents and visitors are encouraged to participate in a local observance in memory of those who paid the highest price for the freedoms we all enjoy.
MALVERN
Dr. James Mullen of the Department of Veterans Affairs - Canton Outpatient Clinic will be the featured speaker for the Memorial Day services in Malvern.
The public is invited for breakfast at the American Legion Valley Post 375 home from 6 to 8:30 a.m. on Memorial Day, May 26.
The annual Memorial Day parade begins at 9 a.m. at Malvern School, marches to the cemetery at St. Francis Xavier Church for a brief ceremony, and then continues to Bethlehem cemetery for an additional ceremony.
All veterans are asked to march with us in the parade and join with the Legionnaires at the cemeteries. Those walking need not be a member of the American Legion or another veterans' group, nor do they need a uniform. Join other local veterans to honor our fallen comrades on Memorial Day.
Members of the Sons of the American Legion, Detachment 375, are also asked to march in a group as they have in the past.
The public is invited to the Post home after the ceremonies for a complimentary lunch. The Post home is located at the corner of Bridge and Grant streets.
Minerva
Carroll County Court of Common Pleas Judge Dominick Olivito Jr. will be guest speaker at the East Lawn Cemetery Memorial Day services.
In Minerva the ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, May 26, with a service at Valley Street Cemetery. A parade will then lead the activities to East Lawn Cemetery for a service at 10:30 a.m.
Music for both services will be provided by the Minerva High School Marching Band. The Gettysburg Address will be delivered by Eli Maurer, son of Mark and Jan Maurer. The Rev. Paul Hoffmeyer, Jr., will give the invocation and benediction. Placing of the wreaths will be by Dr. Chris King of Don V. Cross American Legion Post 357 and Skip Willis of VFW Post 4120. On hand for the services will be the American Legion Post 357 Color Guard and VFW Post 4120 Drill Team. The drill team will conduct the traditional 21-gun salute.
Line up for the parade will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Memorial Day services have been arranged by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4120 with cooperation and assistance from American Legion Post 357.
WEST TOWNSHIP
West Township Memorial Association announces the services for Memorial Day, May 26, at Moultrie Chapel, on state Route 172. The chapel is located two miles east of New Franklin, north of Minerva.
The march to decorate the graves will begin at 2 p.m. and will be led by Don V. Cross American Legion Post 357 of Minerva. Martin Merrick, fifth grader of West Elementary, will recite the Gettysburg Address. Taps and patriotic music will be provided by the Minerva Symphonic Band.
The indoor program will include the Honorable Judge Robert Lavery, from Alliance, as the speaker. Lavery has served as the Alliance Municipal Court judge since 1996. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a practicing attorney engaged in the general practice of law for 19 years. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Alliance City Schools in 2007 and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Award for racial harmony and social justice by the Diversity Initiatives Steering Committee at Mount Union College in January.
Lavery has been active in many civic and charitable organizations. Currently, he is on the advisory council for the Salvation Army of Alliance, a counselor for the American Legion's Boys State program, an honorary member of the Alliance Negro History Club and a life member of the N.A.A.C.P.
Special music will be by Susan and Jim Swain. Congregation singing will follow and at the conclusion of the services, ice cream will be provided.
The West Township Memorial Association includes: President Shirley Whiteleather Fox; Vice President Jeff Haynam; Treasurer Elmer Steves; Secretary Edgar Haynam; and members Ray McPherson, Michael E. Ray, and Diana Haynam Richeson.
LIBERTY CEMETERY
The Rev. Paul Hoffmeyer of the Minerva Community Church has been selected as a guest speaker at Liberty Cemetery services to be held Sunday, May 25, at 1:30 p.m. at the cemetery on Liberty Church Road.
Minerva Legion Commander Michael Lee will be master of ceremonies.
Invocation and benediction will be by Chaplain Chuck Custer. Music selections will be played by the Minerva Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade band.
Marissa Bryan, daughter of Cheryl Bryan, will read Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Taps will be played by Minerva Middle School Band.
The Memorial Day service was arranged through the cooperation of the American Legion Post 357 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4120.
PARIS
Paris Memorial and Community Association's annual Memorial Day celebration will begin Sunday, May 25, with square and line dancing at 7 p.m., with Mark Ball calling. A concession stand will open at 6 p.m.
On Monday, May 26, the concession stand, in the charge of the Paris Israel Church, will open at 11 a.m.
At 1:30 p.m., the Memorial Day parade will be led by the East Canton Hornets Marching Band. All veterans are urged to ride in the parade. Participants should be at Paris Israel Church at 1 p.m.
The memorial service will be held at the Paris Cemetery following the parade. The guest speaker will be Ken Reinoehl, a Vietnam War veteran. Music will be given by the Townsound Choir and the East Canton Marching Band. Placing of the wreath will be done by Marcy Monter.
Following the program at the cemetery, there will be more band music and chorus numbers in the park. At 3:30 p.m., there will be a kiddie tractor pull sponsored by the Paris Lions Club.
HERITAGE CEMETERY
Memorial Day Services will be held Monday, May 26 at 1 p.m. with prayer. The American Legion 357 firing squad will conduct the 21-gun salute.
AUGUSTA
Memorial Day services will be held at the Augusta Cemetery by the Minerva American Legion 357 Honor Guard presenting a military service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 25, with LeRoy VanHorne, the Carroll County auditor, as speaker.
Chaplain will be Chuck Custer. Garry Witts will be the master of ceremonies for the event. The Minerva American Legion - Don V. Cross Post 357 will participate.
The event will be held in the Stillfork Presbyterian Church if it rains.