The Allen County Council of Veterans Organizations hosted its traditional Memorial Day parade Monday, as well as a ceremony immediately after honoring fallen service members. This year events focused on the theme of “Service To The Community.”
Robert Newman with the American Legion, spoke at the remembrance ceremony outside of the Allen County Memorial Coliseum. He says the theme of Service to the Community is a very fitting one for veterans and Memorial Day.
“Veterans serve their country by putting on a uniform to begin with, whether they serve for two years, or make a career of it, because of that pride that was instilled into them while they were in the military that goes a long way to coming back and helping their community.”
Newman told the crowd that it’s also important to remember the distinction between Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day, the latter honoring servicemen who have died in battle.
The ceremony ended with those in attendance holding hands and and singing along to Lee Greenwood’s Proud to be an American.