MEMORIAL DAY 2003 Events, parades, services

Mahoning Valley Memorial Day events. All are on Monday unless noted.
MAHONING COUNTY
Austintown: The parade will begin at 10:45 a.m. and follow a route from Marc's parking lot to Fitch High School Veterans Memorial, where a commemorative service, sponsored by American Legion Post 301 and VFW Post 4237 will be at 11 a.m. The main speaker is retired Marine Corps Maj. Bruce Montgomery, a member of Post 301. The American Legion and VFW Honor Guards will lead the parade, followed by the Mahoning County Sheriff Department's Firing Squad and the Fitch High School marching band. Other township, fire, police and community organizations are invited to participate in the parade and service, parade marshal Joseph McCormick said.
Boardman: Boardman Park is the site for a 10 a.m. parade followed by an 11 a.m. service at Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre in honor of veterans of all wars and to dedicate a monument to Boardman veterans.
Campbell: Mayor David Yeropoli will be the keynote speaker for the Memorial Day Program Monday at 11 a.m. at Campbell Memorial High School where Msgr. Cyril Adamko will give the invocation. The Campbell Memorial High School Band will play and other speakers include: Judge John P. Almasy, Mayor John Dill and Supt. of Schools, James Ciccolelli. Taps will be played by Danny Saulsberry. Rev. Robert J. Mason, pastor of Faith Temple Baptist Church, will give the benediction.
American Legion Post 560 and 4723 members will meet at 8 a.m. at the Legion Hall and will begin services at 9 a.m. at St. John's Cemetery and will proceed to Archangel Michael, St. John's Russian, St. Nicholas and St. Michael's and Pioneer Methodist cemeteries, concluding with the service at Campbell Memorial High School.
Canfield: Canfield American Legion Post 177 will conduct a Memorial Day service at the bandstand at 10 a.m. Canfield High School Marching Band and the American Legion Color Guard and Rifle Squad will perform. The 19th O.V.I. Civil War Re-enactment Group also will take part. After the program at the bandstand, participants will march to the cemetery on East Main Street (U.S. Route 224) for a gun salute over the graves of veterans. Participants will then return to the War Vet Museum at 23 E. Main St. to dedicate four plaques to war veterans from the Iraq War and war on terrorism in Afghanistan who have died up to March 26.
Ellsworth: Ohio Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st, will deliver the main address at the 11 a.m. service Sunday at Ellsworth Elementary School on state Route 45. The annual service is conducted by VFW Post 9571 in conjunction with area churches. Jessica Speece, a student at Western Reserve High School, will sing patriotic selections, and the school band will perform. The Rev. Curtis Miller of Ellsworth Methodist Church, the Post 9571 Ladies Auxiliary, Boy Scout Troop 71, township trustees and school officials will also take part in the service. After the service at the school, a parade will form and march to Ellsworth Cemetery where graveside services will be conducted by the VFW and its auxiliary.
Greenford: The Ruritan Parade begins at 9 a.m. The staging area is Greenford Christian Church parking lot. Participants should assemble at the church at 8 a.m. Let Freedom Ring is the theme of the parade, which will include antique cars, floats, horses, fire trucks, Scouts, South Range High School Marching Band and decorated bicycles. Prizes will be awarded in the float, decorated bikes and horse categories. All decorated bikes will receive $2.
Lowellville: American Legion Post 247 will assemble at 9:45 a.m. at Holy Rosary Cemetery and procession will be at 10 a.m. Participants are Rev. Gerald M. DeLucia, pastor of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church and Pastor Fred Baer, Legion Chaplain, Mt. Carmel Band and speakers are: William Erskine Sr., Commander of Post 247 and Joseph J. Rossei, Mayor of the village of Lowellville. They will decorate graves and salute the dead at Holy Rosary and Poland Township cemeteries.
North Jackson: The parade, which begins at 9 a.m., will form at 8:30 a.m. at Jackson-Milton High School, where a service will be conducted at the memorial. The parade, coordinated by Jackson Township trustees, will go to Jackson Township Cemetery for another memorial service.
Struthers: Services at 9 a.m. will be conducted at the bridge to honor all veterans lost at sea. Sherman Miles of VFW Post 7538 will toss a wreath into the Mahoning River, and Cy Mathis will be the chaplain. At 10 a.m., services will be at Memorial Stone at the Struthers Field House. Ray Ornelas of VFW Post 3538 will be the master of ceremonies. Deacon Paul Lisko of St. Nicholas Church will provide the invocation and Benediction, and the Struthers High School Band will perform. Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Posts 3538 and 7538 will place the wreath. At 11 a.m. a parade will form at the entrance to Lake Park Cemetery, Youngstown, and march to the Veterans Plot, where services will be conducted by Donna Burford. Laddie Fedor, former superintendent of Struthers City Schools, will be the speaker. Paul Lisko will offer the invocation and Benediction. Music will be provided by Struthers High School Band and placing of the wreath will be by the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Posts 3538 and 7538.
Struthers: The Tri-State Marine Corps League Detachment will conduct a memorial service at 8 a.m. at the Ohio Beirut Monument in Hopewell Park, U.S. Route 616. Veterans and the general public are invited to attend.
Youngstown: The United Veterans Council's downtown parade is at 10 a.m. Participants will assemble at 8:45 a.m. on Rayen Avenue, then march down Wick Avenue to Central Square, where there will be a brief ceremony. The parade will continue up Market Street to Boardman Street, where it will disband.
Youngstown: Services will be conducted by VFW Post 6488 and its ladies auxiliary at 1 p.m. at the post, 2065 Coitsville-Hubbard Road. The invocation and Benediction will be offered by the Rev. John Gosay, pastor of St. Andrewes AME Church, Youngstown. Speakers will include Earl McAlway of Youngstown State University and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan. Placing of the wreath will be by past county Commanders Henry Clarett and Anthony Feldes.
Youngstown: Camelot Arms Care Center, 2958 Canfield Road, is offering free videotaping from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday for veterans who want to participate in the Veterans History Project. Under the auspices of the Library of Congress, the project collects and preserves audio and videotaped oral histories as well as letters, diaries, maps, photographs and home movies of veterans. Veterans who want to participate may call (330) 792-5511 for an appointment. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
TRUMBULL COUNTY
Fowler: A nondenominational service is at 10:30 a.m. in Fowler United Methodist Church, followed at 11 a.m. by a parade and services on the green conducted by Vienna VFW Post 3521. At the conclusion of services, a free light lunch will be served at the fire station. The World War II Vehicle Museum and Learning Center of Hubbard and the 4th Armored Division Historical Group will have an encampment and vehicles on the green Saturday afternoon through Monday after the parade. Military items will be on display in the 1850s town hall, and the David and Melissa Butts Museum, both at state Routes 305 and 193, will be open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.
Kinsman and Vernon townships: American Legion Post 506 will have a short service at 10 a.m. in Vernon. The services in Kinsman will start at 11 a.m. at the public square followed by a memorial service in the auditorium of Badger High School. Guest speaker will be Lt. Col. Ted Logan, retired. Music will be provided by the Community Choir directed by Mrs. Shirley Keeler and accompanied by Mrs. Betty Dilley. Immediately after the service, a brief ceremony will be held at Kinsman Cemetery. There will be a pot luck dinner for members, their families and friends at the Legion Post at 1 p.m.
McDonald: Robert Brothers, a Korean War veteran, is the guest speaker for a service at 1 p.m. Sunday at Woodland Park War Memorial at Fifth and Pennsylvania streets. The event is sponsored by the McDonald Fire Department.
Niles: American Legion William McKinley Post 106 in Niles will observe Memorial Day at the Niles City Cemetery with an 11 a.m. service May 30. Col. Bob Belknap, commander of 910th Airlift Wing Mission Support Group at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, will be the speaker. The Niles McKinley high School band will also perform.
Other participants will be Thomas Bloomquist, commander of the William McKinley Post 106, and the Army-Navy Firing Squad. The Legion will also serve brunch after the service at the American Legion Hall at Main and Margaret streets.
LAWRENCE COUNTY
New Castle: A community service will be at 10:50 a.m. in New Covenant Church, 1911 Harlansburg Road, honoring veterans and military families. Featured speakers and music will be followed by an All American Luncheon. Services are open to any veteran or military family in the community. For more information, contact the church office at (724) 652-8062.