MEMORIAL DAY | Events schedule

Memorial Day events as submitted to The Vindicator. Unless otherwise noted, all events are on May 26, the official holiday.

MAHONING

Austintown: The Austintown Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and follows a route from Marc’s parking lot, at Mahoning Avenue and Idaho Road, to the Fitch High School veterans memorial. There will be a commemorative service at 11 a.m. sponsored by the Austintown Memorial American Legion Post 301 and the Austintown VFW post. Master of ceremonies, Post 301 commander Sam Swoger, will introduce speaker Col. David Post, commander of the 910th Maintenance Group, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Vienna. Those who wish to participate in the parade should call John R. Facemyer at 330-533-1611.

North Lima: A Memorial Day Parade for Beaver Township will take place at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at Berlin Industries, proceeds to state Routes 7 and 64, and ends at the Veteran’s Memorial at the corner of state Routes 164 and 165. A memorial service will immediately follow the parade with Vice Adm. John B. LaPlante, Navy retired, as the guest speaker. Participants are asked to arrive at Berlin Industries at 10:30 am. For questions call 330-549-9552.

Berlin Center: A Memorial Day program is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Berlin Fire Station, with a parade immediately following. It will proceed to West Cemetery (weather permitting) for a graveside ceremony courtesy of the Meander VFW Post 9571.

Boardman: The Kiwanis Club of Boardman will host its 110th Memorial Day Parade and Service, starting at 10 a.m. at Boardman Center Middle School on Market Street. Mark Fulks will be grand marshal and featured speaker at the parade and memorial service. William Wainio will give the invocation. Lt. Col. Bill Moss, Air Force retired, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and place a wreath to honor deceased veterans. Mark Luke of the Kiwanis will serve as master of ceremonies for the memorial service. The Boardman Spartan Marching Band will march in the parade and provide music for the service. In case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to Center Middle School’s auditorium.

Canfield: Canfield American Legion Post 177 will present its 93rd annual Memorial Day service on the Canfield Village Green at 10 a.m. The ceremony on the green will be followed by a march down East Main Street to a second ceremony at Canfield East Cemetery, and returning to the War Veterans Museum for a third ceremony at the Wall of Honor. Retired Army Col. Charles M. Coleman will be guest speaker and the Canfield High School Band will provide the music. In the event of rain, the service will be moved to the auditorium of Canfield High School, 100 Cardinal Drive.

Ellsworth: Memorial services will take place 11 a.m. Sunday at VFW Post 9571, 11397 Ellsworth Road. Main speaker will be Vice Adm. John B. LaPlante, Navy retired. After the service, there will be a parade to the Ellsworth Cemetery, where an honorary military tribute will be performed.

Lowellville: St. John the Baptist Cemetery, 3900 Villa Marie Road, will have a Memorial Day Mass at 9 a.m. in the cemetery hall. Refreshments will be served.

New Middletown/Springfield Township: Memorial Day parade is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The parade line up is at Frattaroli’s Sparkle Market, 11045 Main St., and it will travel north on state Route 170 to Springfield Elementary School, 10580 Main St., for a memorial service. Any groups who wish to participate in the parade may still sign up by calling New Middletown Municipal Building at 330-542-2846.

Struthers: Memorial Day services in Struthers will take place at 9 a.m. under the Korean Veterans bridge on state Route 616 at the Mahoning River. Jerry Arendas, commander of VFW Post 7538, will conduct the service. There will also be a service at 10 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial at Struthers High School, 111 Euclid Ave. Ray Ornelas, past commander of District 8, will conduct the service. John Grandy, retired teacher from Struthers Middle School and current coach of the varsity girl’s basketball team, will be speaker. The Struthers Band will perform. A service planned at Lake Park Cemetery has been canceled.

Youngstown: VFW Post 6488 and Ladies Auxiliary will have a memorial day observance at 1 p.m. at VFW Post 6488, 2065 Coitsville-Hubbard Road. Keynote speaker is Susan Skrzynski, executive director and service officer with the Mahoning County Veteran’s Services Commission. There will be a tribute to Judge Robert P. Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court and a retired Air Force colonel, and a special recognition to the widows of departed comrades.

Youngstown: The Golden Eagles of Smoky Hollow will host a Smoky Hollow War Memorial Service at 11:15 a.m. at Walnut Street and Rayen Avenue. The 58th annual service will include the dedication of a new plaque, and a speech by Bob Hannon, president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley.

Youngstown: American Legion Post 504, 2536 Glenwood Ave., will have a Memorial Day event at 5 p.m. Guest speaker will be Delphine Baldwin Casey, a retired officer of the Youngstown Police Department. Don Bishop, past commander of Post 732, will be honored. A free dinner for the public will be served.

TRUMBULL

Girard: Memorial Day services will begin at 11 a.m. at Girard City Cemetery. The Rev. Burl Jarnigan of First Baptist Church of Girard will give the invocation and benediction. Girard High School class valedictorian Michaela Bundy, daughter of John and Anne Bartoletti, will recite the Gettysburg Address. Short biographies of deceased soldiers will be given by the GHS class presidents. There will be the placing of the wreath with a rifle salute by the Girard Veterans Council Honor Guard, as well as a performance of taps.

Warren: The Packard Band will host a Memorial Day Remembrance concert 3 p.m. Sunday at W.D. Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. NW. The event will feature the W.D. Packard Concert Band with conductor Dr. Stephen L. Gage, with appearances by announcer Thomas A. Groth, narrator Brian Sinchak and special performances by highland piper Brian Crites and Garey L. Watson playing taps. All Packard Band events are free and open to the public. The event aims to be a musical tribute in honor of the men and women of our armed forces.

COLUMBIANA

East Palestine: The George F. McBane Post 31 American Legion will host a Memorial Day parade at 11 a.m. followed by a memorial program at the gazebo in the city park. Along with the parade, the East Palestine Rotary Club will sponsor its annual Memorial Day Bike Parade for children the same day. Contestants are encouraged to decorate their bikes in a red, white and blue theme and prizes will be given to first- and second-place winners, although each contestant will receive a prize. The contest has four age groups for judging: preschool and kindergarten, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, and fifth and sixth grade. Contestants are to meet in the parking lot of the First Church of Christ, 20 W. Martin St., for judging at 10:30 a.m. After judging, bike-parade contestants will join in the Memorial Day parade that will proceed to East Palestine Park.

Salem: The Salem Memorial and Patriotic Association will host Salem’s 150th Memorial Day celebration. An 8 a.m. free breakfast for veterans and parade participants will take place at the Memorial Building, 785 E. State St.; the breakfast will be hosted by the Salem Patriotic Association. A 9 a.m. memorial service is scheduled on the Village Green, at Lincoln and State streets. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on South Broadway Avenue, traveling to State Street, Lincoln Avenue, and ending at Hope Cemetery; Hubert Brown, a WWII veteran, will be honorary parade marshal. A ceremony at the cemetery with full military honors is planned for approximately 11 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, the memorial service will be moved to the Kent State University City Center, 230 N. Lincoln Ave.

MERCER

Mercer, Pa: Mercer County’s Memorial Day celebration, the Mercer Memorial Day 500, will be primarily at the Mercer County Courthouse, 120 S. Diamond St. Events include: 8 a.m. registration at the post office for a 5K Race through the Flags starting at 8:30; 9 a.m., an opening ceremony, honoring of race winners and honoree introductions at the courthouse bandstand; 9 to 11 a.m., military expo, north side of courthouse; 9:30 to 11 a.m., veterans’ reception and prizes, south side of courthouse; concessions available 9:30 to noon; 10 to 11 a.m., showcase entertainer Brett Allen Morgan at the courthouse bandstand; 11 a.m., memorial parade; noon, memorial salute at the Mercer Citizens Cemetery, three blocks south of the courthouse. Food, drinks, parking and restrooms will be available to attendees. Golf carts are available to assist those with any mobility issues. Visit www.mercermemorialday500.org for information and program maps.