Memorial Day parade remembers the fallen

LANCASTER – For Dick Huffine, Memorial Day is a time for people to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

"It's a time for everyone to show respect for those that have fallen," Huffine said, a Korean War veteran and five-time American Legion Post 11 commander. The Legion led the veterans' organizations in this year's parade.

For Brad Price, an Army veteran from Operations Desert Shield/Storm, coming out for a Memorial Day parade is what America is all about.

"I lost some friends in the desert back then," Price said. "It's a chance for us to remember what ultimate sacrifices families have made and continue to make."

Price was given the honor of carrying the U.S. flag for the American Legion in the parade Monday.

"We can't forget the people that have fallen," Price said.

Mary Austin, parade organizer for the past 11 years, said it was a great day for a parade and that this was a way to give back to her veteran community.

"When I first got out of the service and was a single mom, it was the veterans who helped me," Austin said. "This is just a way to give back to the veterans who have given me so much."

In addition to the American Legion, two Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, Military Veterans of Olivedale, the local Disabled American Veterans group, Amvets, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Forty/Eight posts all participated with Lancaster police and Fairfield County sheriff's deputies and Lancaster High School Band of Gold leading the parade.

For Jennifer Mitchell, of Lancaster, and Barb Welch, of Rushville, the parade and services on Memorial Day are a chance to remember fallen soldiers in Welch's case and family members in Mitchell's case.

Welch served in the Army in 1990s said it was her way to remember the fallen and to honor her family's legacy in the military.

"My father was in the Navy and so was my brother," Mitchell said. "We don't want anyone to forget what sacrifices these veterans and their families have given."

Marvin Sowers, of Lancaster, said coming out to the parade is an annual tradition. Sowers is not a veteran but said it is still important to come for the parade.

"We need to remember that a lot of people from Lancaster go into the military service and some don't come back," Sowers said. "It's important to honor the tradition and come out and remember those who served."

cburnett@lancastereaglegazette.com

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Twitter: @CarlBurnettJr