Accompanied by warming temperatures and refreshing breezes, clear blue skies surrounded local residents as they gathered for Memorial Day Services held Monday, May 26, 2014 at Edon Union Cemetery.
Escorted by the Edon Police Department, and guarded by Florence Township Fire Department volunteers, the Memorial Day Parade made its way from the Edon State Bank parking lot to the Cemetery’s Veterans Memorial where Edon American Legion Post 662 representative Marvin Gearhart placed a commemorative red, white and blue wreath and the Edon High School Band played our National Anthem. David Miller, Pastor at Edon United Methodist Church opened the annual observance with prayer. In a time-honored tradition, David LaDuke, Mister at Edon Church of Christ, delivered Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address prior to Jeremy Matthew’s words and thoughts on the meaning of this day.
“The greatest [tribute] we can do for a fallen soldier is to remember,” shared the Marine Gunnery Sergeant Veteran. “Memorial Day is a day of remembrance.” Jeremy went on to encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the price paid by the men and women who died defending our country and way of life.
Concluding the Service was the Edon High School Marching Band’s rendition of You’re a Grand Old Flag and Yankee Doodle, Edon’s American Legion Post 662 honoring fallen comrades with a Twenty-one Gun Salute and the playing of Taps by Alyssa Maier and Jim Peckham.
Memorial Day Services were also conducted at Columbia and St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemeteries earlier that morning.
Rounding out the day’s activities was the annual Barbecued Chicken Dinners Take-Out sponsored by Florence Township Fire Department.