'An attitude of gratitude': Bucyrus pays tribute to all who gave their lives for country

BUCYRUS — As 4-year-old Raelyn Allgire stood on the sidewalk in front of her West Oakwood Avenue home amid flags lining the street, she waved her own little flag in honor of Memorial Day as she waited for the annual parade to go by.

“We watch the parade every year,” said Raelyn’s mom, Halie Allgire, as she stood on her porch with her husband, Kevin, and 8-year-old son, Kenton.

Joe and Mary Platt said they watch the parade on Sandusky Avenue every year.

“We do it to honor our veterans and to support the city,” said Mary Platt as participants were lining up for the parade on Washington Square.

The parade made its way through downtown Bucyrus, then down West Oakwood Avenue to Oakwood Cemetery for the annual Memorial Day program.

A crowd formed around the Lemert Memorial as Bob Laipply, serving as master of ceremonies, welcomed everyone and introduced the Rev. Paul Fahrbach to give the benediction.

Fahrbach’s benediction included a song he wrote, “Always Respect the Flag,” and the crowd sang along to the chorus.

After the playing of the National Anthem by the Bucyrus High School Band, General Logan’s Order No. 11 was read by Ethan Huff and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was read by Madalyn Kimmel.

The parade marshal for this year was World War II Veteran Harold Eppley, while the Memorial Day Address was given by Richard Eugene Johnson.

Johnson joined the Army Security Agency right after he graduated from Wynford High School in 1964. He served nine months in telecommunications training at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, then 18 months in Ethiopia and 18 months in California to complete his four-year enlistment.

“The closest thing to home I ever had while I was in the service was the USO (United Service Organizations),” said Johnson. “There was a huge disagreement in the Vietnam War at the time, so there were no celebrations or welcome homes. When I came home, I almost felt ashamed because I was in the service.”

He said nearly 60 years after Vietnam, a big change has occurred.

“I went on the Honor Flight last Nov. 10. What an experience that was to see all of the memorials of the heroes there. It is a tribute to all veterans who had the courage to stand up and serve the country,” Johnson said.

When he arrived back from Washington, D.C., to the John Glenn Airport in Columbus, a crowd was there to give him and others on the Honor Flight a hero’s welcome.

“There was an overwhelming reception. It brought tears to my eyes to think that all these people were there. Thousands of them to welcome us back. It was a wonderful feeling, an attitude of gratitude I had never felt before. It restored my faith in God and humanity,” said Johnson. “Today is a day to remember all of the men and women who gave their lives to our country.”

After a rendition of “Hail Columbia” by the Bucyrus Middle School Band, the Bucyrus Area Veterans Honor Guard conducted the Salute to the Dead as shots rang out through the cemetery.

The crowd was silent as Taps and Echo were played by two Bucyrus sophomores, Jayda Pickens and Jenna Ashley.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus has annual Memorial Day parade, service