COMMUNITY MEMORIAL DAY PARADE & CEREMONY
The streets of Waynedale will once again host the sights and sounds of Memorial Day this year, thanks to the efforts of one local veteran’s group.
American Legion Post #241, located at 7605 Bluffton Road, is sponsoring this year’s Memorial Day parade through the highways and byways of Waynedale, and expected turnout – if past attendance is any guide – should be heavy.
The parade will be held on the official holiday, Monday, May 28, according to Diane Stowe, American Legion Post #241’s secretary. The festivities begin at 9 a.m. and will last until about 10:30 a.m.
Sons of the American Legion will make their way up and down the crowds lining the streets, handing out candy and small American flags to all the children in attendance.
The parade route begins near the parking lot at Waynedale United Methodist Church, 2501 Church Street, then continues down Old Trail Road until it reaches the Prairie Grove Cemetery, 6312 Old Trail Road.
Commander of American Legion Post #241, Ken Holloway has selected David Miller as the Parade Marshall leading this year’s parade. David Miller was Post #241’s past commander during the years of 2014-2016. He served in the 122nd Air National Guard and will be the spokesman for the Military Ceremony following this year’s parade. Groups marching include the Wayne High School marching band, Allen County Sheriff’s deputies, members of Post #241, the VFW Post #1421, AmVets Post #33, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, local Fire Departments, local businesses and orgnizations. The American Legion Riders – members of the Post who ride their motorcycles to and during important post events, also will trace the parade route.
The Fort Wayne Police Department will assist by blocking off the necessary roads and streets to insure the parade can take place unimpeded by traffic, Stowe said.
Of course, anyone is welcome to join in the parade if they want, Stowe noted. All they have to do is come to the parade parking lot area by 8:00 a.m. and speak to the Parade Director Terry Vice, who is coordinating the parade. He will direct your unit and let you know where in the parade lineup you will step off.
If past parades are any guide, Stowe said she expects at least 1,000 people to turn out to watch the procession.
“It seems like the crowds get larger each year we have this, which is nice,” Stowe said.
“It’s good because a lot of our people can’t make it to the downtown parade,” she said. “People just enjoy it, and the ceremony at the cemetery is so nice, and it really let’s people know what this day is all about.” On the Saturday prior to Memorial Day, American flags will be placed on the graves of service members.
As our country continues to have soldiers overseas, it is fitting that we take a little time out of our busy lives to pause and give thanks for those men and women who have put themselves in harms way to protect the values and the freedoms we all enjoy every day.
This Memorial Day remember and appreciate the people who died while serving our country, join the community on Monday, May 28 for the Waynedale Memorial Day parade at 9am and the Military Ceremony to follow at the Prairie Grove Cemetery.
Can’t attend the parade? Click here for a live feed of the Parade on Memorial Day starting at 9am. Like and follow The Waynedale News Facebook page for a notification of the live feed.
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