Sun staff and Sun intern
County citizens honored Memorial Day at a variety of events held across the county on May 30, and even in the days preceding.
Veterans were honored at the village of New Richmond’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, held May 30 at the Veterans Memorial on Susanna Street, overlooking the Ohio River.
Third generation New Richmond native John Hale sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America,” Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6770 and American Legion Post 550 performed ceremonial duties, including a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps” and Mayor Ramona Carr delivered remarks.
She added, “Memorial Day is a day unlike any other; it is a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed and died in our nation’s service.”
Memorial Day celebrates the memories of all who have fought and defended the right for freedom, Carr said, and she asked attendees to pause and remember those who have served and are serving today.
“Thank you, and God bless our great country in which we live,” she said.
Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor Joe DeWhitt, 92, shared the ceremony’s significance to him.
“It makes me feel like the people honor what we do,” said the Nicholsville native.
John Hale’s wife Vickie Hale, whose father was an Army veteran, said her “patriotism” inspired her to attend the ceremony.
“I’ve always been a flag waving American and I’ve always supported all of our vets. I just love it; I just can’t get enough of it because its a passion and it hits my heart,” she said. “The ceremony is meaningful to me and I don’t feel like we’ve passed that onto the young people, and so I’m trying to set an example for my family as well.”
She added, “It’s American, and Americans should be here, and never forget.”
In Union Township, the community came together for the 23rd annual Memorial Day Commemoration at the Union Township Veterans Park, held by the Vietnam Veterans of America Clermont County Chapter 649.
Hosted in the shadow of a Vietnam-era helicopter, the event began at 6 a.m. with the reading of the names of those who were killed during the Vietnam War, and concluded with an hour-long ceremony led by Buckeye State Council President Cliff Riley.
More than 500 white crosses were planted in the ground by local scouting troops, each bearing the name of a veteran whose name was read during the ceremony, which included a presentation of colors by the national award-winning Union Township Police Honor Guard.
A Prisoner of War and Missing in Action “missing man table” was set in honor of the 83,000 military members who have gone missing in action since World War II. Visitors were also invited to read the names of fallen local service members, whose names are etched on the memorial’s walls.
“When a combat veteran reads the names on the wall… they don’t see someone who died quietly in their sleep — they died horrifically.” Riley said. “Everyone’s got a story. That’s why we’re here, and that’s why we do this.”
Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud gave the keynote address, stressing the importance of commemorating the country’s fallen on a day that is typically filled with backyard barbecues and summer pool parties.
“Our military today stands on the shoulders of those great men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” Proud said. “Today, we are not mourning them — we are celebrating their lives and the service they gave to their country.”