Parade, program honor sacrifices

A new car was given to an Austintown couple serving in the military in Iraq.
By AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- On a blistering hot Memorial Day morning, flag-waving crowds on U.S. Route 224 clapped and cheered as the Spartan Marching Band played the school's fight song.
The band's music kicked off the 102nd Memorial Day Parade and Program coordinated by the Boardman Kiwanis.
The Spartans were followed by local dance and martial-arts groups, floats and classic cars as the parade left its starting point at Center Middle School on Market Street. The parade then ran north on Market, turning east onto 224 and ending at Maag Outdoor Arts Theatre in Boardman Township Park.
The only thing that took the crowds' eyes off the passing array was a large C-130 from the 910th Airlift Wing in Vienna. The plane, which swooped low over the spectators, was greeted by a chorus of "oohs" and "aahs."
Amanda Eberhardt, who recently moved from Massillon to Poland, enjoyed the parade with her 3-year-old son, Hunter.
"My husband is the manager of the new Target in Boardman, and he told us about this," she said. "It's Hunter's first-ever parade and he was really excited to come and see everything."
Hunter, who was rummaging through a paper bag of sweets he had collected from the various floats, had one word for his favorite thing of the day: "Candy!" he said, as he picked out a lollipop.
Program
The Memorial Day program also struck a somber note as the Boardman High School Symphonic Band, the Kiwanis and local leaders honored the sacrifices of military personnel both past and present.
Lt. Col. Bill Moss, USAF (Ret.), and Gina Peyko of the Boardman High School National Honor Society laid two wreaths at the war memorial in honor of fallen and current soldiers.
As veterans gathered around to watch the wreath-laying, members of the symphonic band played taps, and Civil War re-enactors fired a rifle salute.
The program served as a reminder that freedom isn't free, said John A. Darnell Jr., grand marshal and speaker. Darnell is associate editor of the Boardman News.
"We cannot forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice," he said.
"Today, across America there are hundreds of small gatherings with one large calling -- to honor the sacrifice of the people who never came home," he said.
After the wreath-laying, representatives from 570 WKBN and local Ford dealers gave a new Ford Focus to Sean and Mary Bodnar of Austintown, who are both serving in the Army in Iraq. Mary is still in Iraq, but Sean, who is with the Army's 101st Airborne Division, was able to come and pick up the keys to the car at the program.
Don Westenbarger, 77, of Boardman, said he has been going to Memorial Day services all his life.
"My dad was a World War I veteran, my brother was in World War II, and I served during the Korean War. We were all lucky enough to make it back," he said.
Westenbarger, who served as an Armed Services Radio station manager from 1952 to 1954, said he comes in remembrance of his colleagues.
"It's very meaningful for me, especially when they play taps," he said.
agarrett@vindy.com