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Euclid Joint Veterans' Council [American Legion, Polish Legion American Veterans, Euclid Veterans Association, Jewish War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars] and the City of Euclid :
Invite all Citizens and Active Duty Military to the Memorial Day Parade and Services.
Morning Graveside Services: --
7:45 am Euclid Cemetery
8:15 am St.Paul Cemetery
Parade: --
9:30 am Assembly - at East 228th & Lakeshore.
10:00 am Parade
Memorial Service: --
11:00 am at Veterans Memorial next to City Hall following Parade
Parade Route: --
Parade starts at E. 228th & Lakeshore, and proceeds west on Lakeshore to E. 222ndSt., then south on E. 222nd St. and ends at Veterans Memorial next to Euclid City Hall - 585 E. 222nd St
Memorial Day Media Contact: Chuck Hill 216-732-9339
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“Lest We Forget...All gave some... Some Gave All"
We've all benefited from the courage our military men and women have displayed time and time again over the history of our country. It is only appropriate that we set aside time each year to memorialize those who died in our defense. Sometimes it is easy to forget that our freedom comes at a very high price and that even those who survive the terror of war are often reminded of the cost as long as they live. We can never fully repay the debt to America's soldiers, but we can continue to remember their service and sacrifices by honoring the memory of the fallen.
Once again, America is reminded of the thousands of our fellow countrymen and women who have given their lives in the defense of freedom and liberty: not only for America, but for millions of others who sought this birthright for themselves, their children and their countries, and who needed America's help. We can never thank enough those families whose husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters made the ultimate commitment and sacrifice to secure what our Founders also fought for with their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor".
One of the great things about living in Euclid, Ohio is the opportunity we have to be involved in city events. Take Memorial Day, for example. Memorial Day is an occasion for honoring all who fought for freedom and for grieving those who did not return to their families. Memorial Day is a sacred day to all war veterans. America's collective consciousness demands that all citizens be reminded of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime. By honoring the nation's war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice.
Memorial Day has often been ignored by many who are the beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice. It is human nature to avoid the unpleasant. But we need to remember the cost of war, we need to remember the price paid for our freedoms, we need to not let those who died, die forgotten and in vain. Today, thousands of US servicemen and women remain in Afghanistan, Iraq, Southwest Asia, Bosnia and over 120 countries around the world, where the mission to stamp out terrorism and inhumane atrocities continues.
Memorial Day in Euclid begins with early morning Graveside Services. The veteran graves are marked with an American Flag and a flower. The Euclid Joint Veterans Council then conducts a graveside service at 7:45 am at Euclid Cemetery and another 8:15 am service at St. Paul Cemetery. [some of America's 1st War Veterans from the Revolutionary War are buried in Euclid, Lt. John Crosier, Battle of Bunker Hill, Lt. David Dille, Sgt. James Jackson, Pvt. Anthony Cummins, Pvt. Jacob Coleman]
The Euclid Memorial Day Parade (one of Ohio's largest) will begin at 10:00 a.m. Under the direction of the Euclid Joint Veterans Council. Everyone will march from E 228th and Lakeshore Boulevard, to the Veteran's Memorial next to Euclid City Hall. The theme of the parade is "If you value your Freedom, Thank a Veteran." So in that spirit, everyone in town is invited to decorate their auto, bicycle, wagon or baby stroller, and come to march in the Memorial Day Parade. [parade applications are available at AL343.org]
Memorial Day Services will be held directly after the parade at the Veteran's Memorial. The Veteran's Memorial was constructed and is maintained by the Euclid Joint Veterans Council, inscribed on the monument are the names of Euclid Servicemen who died defending our country, 90 W.W.II , 8 Korean War, 12 Vietnam War, 1 War on Terrorism. It is both a memorial to the dead and a tribute for the living of the past, present, and future. The Memorial Day program is conducted by the Euclid Joint Veterans Council with the assistance of the City of Euclid. The Joint Veterans Council and the Mayor of the City of Euclid place a wreath and deliver welcome addresses. The Memorial Day Speaker is selected by the veterans' group leading the parade for the current year [the lead group rotates between the member organizations of the veterans council]. A Rifle Squad Salute to the honored dead, with Taps is presented.
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