Memorial Day services scheduled
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Coshocton annual Memorial Day Parade has been cancelled this year. However, the Coshocton service and several others are still planned.
Coshocton: The annual Memorial Day services will be held on Monday, May 31. Services will begin at 10 a.m. on the court square with the featured speaker, Coshocton County Sheriff James Crawford, guest speaker, Sharon Burns, President of the local Blue Star Mothers Chapter OH#59 and Rev. Bill Jones with the Zion United Church of Christ in New Bedford will give the innovation and benediction. There will be a tribute to our fallen comrades, who have passed away since Memorial Day 2020, which the Coshocton County Honor Guard members performed military services. The Coshocton High School band will provide the National Anthem and two TAPS players. Everyone is requested to please wear a mask and practice social distancing during the services.
Keene: The 139th annual Keene Veterans Memorial Celebration will be held on Sunday, May 30. At 9:30 a.m., an outdoor Veterans Memorial Church Service will be held at Keene United Methodist Church with featured speaker John Hill of Keene. He is a 1965 graduate of Miller High School in Perry County. Hill served in the US Navy during 1966-1970 as a Petty Officer Electricians Mate on the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) stationed out of Norfolk, Virginia, during the Vietnam War. His basic training and schooling to be an electricians mate was at the Great Lakes Training Center North of Chicago, Illinois. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Star, and Vietnam Republic Service Medal.
Participants at the outdoor service are encouraged to bring their iPhones, tablet, or laptop to view the online veterans’ slide show during the church service or participants may join the Zoom service to see the veterans’ slide show. Also, participants are encouraged to bring their own picnic or lunch to enjoy before the parade begins.
The veterans memorial parade in Keene starts at noon led by the Grand Marshal John Hill, the Walhonding Rube Band, and the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office. Held since 1882, Keene is recognized as the second oldest continuously held Memorial Day Parade in Ohio. The Warsaw American Legion Post 634 will give a 21 Gun Salute at both cemeteries and the veterans’ monument in Keene.
Following COVID 19 protocol from the County Health Department, those attending the parade are requested to social distance between family groups if walking in the parade, watching from the sides of the parade route, or when gathering around the Keene monument area.
Plainfield: Honoring Armed Forces at Plainfield Cemetery will be held on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 2 p.m. The Ridgewood Marching Generals Band and high school choir will be performing. They will honor members of the armed forces, as well as those from the community who have passed away in the past year. The Coshocton County Veterans Honor Guard will assist in honoring service personnel. Several other members from the community will be assisting in the service. Guest speaker will be Steve Mercer from Coshocton. In case of inclement weather, the service will be cancelled. Attendees are asked to practice social distancing and wear masks.
Blissfield: Services will be held at Blissfield Cemetery just off State Route 60 North on Sunday, May 30, at 2 p.m. Killbuck VFW Post #7079 will conduct military graveside services in honor of Arthur Eugene Jones Sr., who died Dec. 15, 2019. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953-1961. Keynote speaker is Mr. Jason Brooks, veterans service officer for Holmes County. The Walhonding Rube Band will provide music. In case of inclement weather, the services will be held at the Blissfield United Methodist Church.
Warsaw: The Walhonding Valley-Warsaw parade has been cancelled this year, but services will be on Monday, May 31, at 2 p.m. at Valley View Cemetery. Featured speaker will be Ed Skerness, Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran and music will be provided by the Walhonding Rube Band.
Category: People & Places
