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Holiday activities abound in Valley
POLAND
With many Memorial Day celebrations planned throughout the Mahoning Valley, organizers say there’s something for everyone, depending on how residents want to honor Americans who have died while serving their country.
In Poland, the tradition of a stately parade will continue, said Jeff Vrabel Sr., commander of Sons of the American Legion Mahoning Valley Squadron 15.
Forty years ago, the American Legion posts in Youngstown and Poland combined, and the parade in Poland has occurred every Memorial Day since then, he said.
“My son, Jeffrey, said it best. Our parade is kind of like a funeral procession. We want this to be a solemn, not necessarily somber, parade. The only reason we’re there is to honor those who probably didn’t make it back home. ... It’s just the way we want to do it,” he said.
Poland’s grand marshal is Dean McClain, 80, an Army veteran and three-time commander at American Legion Mahoning Valley Post 15. McClain, who grew up in Canfield, said he watched World War I veterans march in the Memorial Day parade.
“It was a very, very outstanding memory,” he said. “... The parade was very impressive, and that stuck with me for all these years.”
McClain said he thinks the popularity of Memorial Day increased after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“I think 9/11 had a lot to do with the growth of that. ... The American public was purchasing flags, and they got a very patriotic feeling about veterans, people injured in war and other participants,” he said.
The grand marshal in Boardman’s 108th Memorial Day Parade agreed.
“The perception today is there’s a lot more recognition for veterans. Employers ... and community leaders are looking for people with that kind of experience. It’s really taken on a whole breath of fresh air, and it’s long overdue,” said Jim Rapone, 66, of Warren.
Rapone enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1964 and served four years’ active duty, including a combat tour in Vietnam, and two years’ inactive. He worked for The Tribune-Chronicle and The Vindicator and now is a drug and alcohol counselor.
“For most of us that have worn a uniform of our country and for those who fight for it, life has a special flavor the protected shall never know,” he said.
That is why it’s important to honor all those who have served and are currently serving, Rapone said.
“I have a quote in my speech for Monday that says: ‘The greatest casualty of war or conflict is not remembering those who gave huge sacrifices,’” he said.
The Boardman and Poland Memorial Day parades step off at 10 a.m. Monday.