ThisWeek CW 10/29/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/10/26/veterans-to-be-honored-with-ceremony-parade.html
The Canal Winchester Senior Citizens Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10523 are planning the city’s second Veterans March and Ceremony Nov. 7 and are inviting veterans of all eras and their families to join in.
Veterans and their families are invited to enjoy a free pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at the Frances Steube Community Center, 22 S. Trine St. A short program specifically for veterans will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Following the breakfast, attendees will assemble for a parade march from the community center to Stradley Place Park. The Senior Transport bus will be available to help transport participants who have mobility issues.
Motts Military Museum also will provide military vehicles as part of the parade.
Breakfast will be prepared by the Bivens family with senior citizen club members and local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts helping to serve the meal and clear the tables.
Organizer Bobbie Mershon, a Canal Winchester City Council member and Vietnam veteran, said she hopes the public will attend the parade and post-parade ceremony, scheduled at 10:30 a.m., to show their support of the city’s veterans.
“As an in-country Vietnam vet, I know what it is like to go unappreciated for your service,” Mershon said. “Canal Winchester has sent many of its young men and women to serve their nation in war and peace. I want each of them to know how proud of them we are.
“These are our hometown heroes and Canal Winchester does not forget,” Mershon said. “I hope all veterans, young and old, attend the free breakfast with their families, especially the Iraq and Afghanistan vets. It is always good to make connections with those who can relate to your experiences.”
The Veterans Day ceremony will include a raising of the colors and the national anthem performed by Mike Walker. Guest speakers will be the Rev. John Romig from Gender Road Christian Church; Dr. Tracy Fowler from Heritage Baptist Church; Warren Motts from Motts Military Museum; Canal Winchester Mayor Mike Ebert; and Maj. Gen. John Harris Jr., Assistant Adjutant General-Ohio Army National Guard.
The ceremony will wrap up with a rifle salute and a performance of Taps by members of the VFW.
Mershon said she expects this year to surpass last year’s successful inaugural event.
“The Senior Citizens Club sponsors the event through a city grant they applied for earlier this year and many businesses generously donated items for this event, as well as many people who are giving of their time. All are appreciated,” Mershon said.
“Because last year was so successful, all we needed to do was tweak it to make it better. I’m sure more veterans will turn out. I hope all citizens come to the march and ceremony and look at the veterans’ pictures, which will be displayed in the storefront windows around town.”
Event organizers are requesting submissions of veterans’ photos, including name, service dates and branch of service. Photos submitted last year will once again be presented and do not need to be resubmitted.
Photos should be copies of an original photo, show veterans or active military personnel in uniform, and should be no larger than 5-inches by 7-inches. They can be dropped off at the Canal Winchester Municipal Building, 36 S. High St., or the community center.
Submissions may also be emailed to bmershon@canalwinchesterohio.gov.
For more information, visit canalwinchesterohio.gov or call 614-837-8276.