Grove City
Volunteers from area Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts will host the Memorial Day service, which begins at 2:30 p.m. May 24 in Veterans Memorial Garden at Crestview Memorial Park.
This year’s speaker is Pastor Paul Milliken, retired from U.S. Air Force. Other participants include Harrisville Community Band and the Moniteau Ceremonial Rifle Squad. Also, commanders and vice commanders from the VFW and American Legion will place flags on 100 graves in the memorial garden, and place wreaths dedicated to all veterans who have passed away. This is followed by the national anthem, a rifle salute and playing of Taps.
Following the service, wreaths will be placed at the monument and Grove City Honor Roll in Grove City Memorial Park by the post commander and ladies auxiliary president of John R. Huff American Legion Post 220 and Claire Van Eman VFW Post 519.
Following the observance, participants and attendants are invited to share in refreshments at Claire Van Eman VFW Post 519 on Blair Street, Grove City.
Lakeview
The Lakeview community will observe Memorial Day at 10 a.m. May 25 at Oak Hill Cemetery, Sandy Lake Township.
Sgt. 1st Class H. Daniel Tulip will be guest speaker. Tulip served 3è years on active duty in Iraq with the 10th Mountain Division, U.S. Army military police. A 1987 graduate of Reynolds High School, he has received multiple Bronze Star medals.
Boy Scout Troop 86 and Cub Scout Pack 89, both of Sandy Lake, will serve as honor guard. Music will include Mark Bodamer on bagpipes; Chris Gilliland, singing the national anthem; and additional music by Lakeview High School Marching Band.
Please bring a lawn chair. In case of rain, the observance will be moved to Lakeview United Methodist Church, located across from the cemetery.
The event is sponsored by the Lakeview Area Ministerium and Scott A. Black Funeral Home.
Mercer
*9 to 9:30 a.m. – Race Through the Flags, a 5k foot race through the 500 flags posted along Pitt Street. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m. by the Civil War Monument and the race begins at the post office. Info: Pizza Joe’s in Mercer, 724-662-2433; Mark or Linda Brown, 724-662-2786.
*9 to 11 a.m. – Fun and games for kids on North Diamond Street. Meet men and women from the U.S. Armed Forces; test your mettle with fun activities; check out food vendors, Civil War singing group Homefront and get a photo taken with Uncle Sam.
*9:30 to 10:15 a.m. – Patriotic program. A USO-type show with the American Belles from New York City will highlight Vietnam at the courthouse bandstand.
*9:30 to 10:30 a.m. – Veterans reception on the south side of the courthouse.
*10:30 to 10:45 a.m. – Military induction ceremony, courthouse bandstand. New recruits take a public oath.
*11 a.m. to noon – Parade to honor veterans, with 75 marching units and six musical groups, traveling along Pitt Street from the post office to Citizens Cemetery.
*Noon to 1 p.m. – Memorial Salute, Citizens Cemetery.
*1 to 2 p.m. – Blackhawk helicopter on display, courtesy of Air National Guard, at Citizens Cemetery.
*All day – View the new Hometown Heroes banners displayed at the courthouse, honoring those killed in action.
Public Accommodations
*Parking – Brandy Springs Park; Mercer High School; and Mercer Elementary School. Parking maps are available on the Web site.
*In case of rain – Events will be held at Mercer High School in the event of a morning downpour.
Veterans Accommodations
*Reserved parking – Along South Diamond Street, Cunningham Funeral Home and Bethany Church
*Volunteers will be available to assist you on South Diamond Street
*Golf cart rides from your car to the reception
*Parade transport
*Return transportation from the Memorial Salute
*Indoor restroom facilities at the reception
Info: www.mercermemorialday500.homestead.com; e-mail parade500@yahoo.com; or call Mark or Linda Brown at 724-662-2786.
Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock will observe Memorial Day with ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. May 25 in the Slippery Rock Cemetery.
Steve Mick, Army reservist, will speak. Military honors will be conducted by the American Legion and the V.F.W.
The Slippery Rock High School Band will provide the music. Eighth grade honor’s students will participate with Emma Brown presenting the poem, “In Flanders Field” and Dustin Mellott presenting, the “Gettysburg Address.”
In case of rain, the event will be in the recreation center at Slippery Rock Community Park.
