Londonderry honors veterans with annual parade

CHILLICOTHE – Flags waved in the gentle breeze as the residents of Londonderry lined the road to greet veterans and remember fallen ones.

Londonderry celebrated Memorial Day with its annual parade on U.S. 50. The parade began at the community building and ended in the Londonderry Cemetery next to Friends Church.

Veterans and auxiliary members of the Scioto Valley Honor Guard presented the 21-gun salute at the cemetery's Veterans Memorial and the Southeastern High School Marching Band played taps. The honor guard has buried 55 veterans so far this year, according to Mike Climer, a member of the guard.

"I just think it's important for the kids to do something positive in the community," Southeastern Band Director Jeff Donahue said. "The band brings more people to the ceremony and honors veterans on their day."

Donahue said the 51 members of the marching band attend the parade each year it is held as long as it is not rained out.

Friends Church held a ceremony following the parade to honor the local veterans buried in the cemetery. Flags were placed next to gravestones to mark veterans from the Civil War on. Flowers were individually placed on each veteran's grave site as well.

"Some of the veterans have been gone so long, this is the only recognition they would get," Jane Brown of Londonderry said about the flowers placed on the graves.

Honor guard member and Navy veteran Marvin Bridenbaugh said he has been a part of the guard since 1998. Bridenbaugh served as a gunner's mate from 1948 to 1952 on three different naval ships.

"It is a privilege to be here for the servicemen," Bridenbaugh said.