Memorial Day parade in Canton remembers sacrifice: 'Keep the fallen in your minds'

CANTON − Stark County residents joined those across the country in honoring the fallen and remembering the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Cookouts, swim parties and family gatherings were among the ways Americans here and elsewhere enjoyed the extended weekend. Many people also made time for Memorial Day remembrances, including cemetery visits, services and parades like the one in Canton on Monday.

More: More than 1,200 Stark County military members have died since World War I. Here are their names.

Starting in downtown Canton and ending at the McKinley National Memorial, the route featured veterans riding in classic cars, others riding motorcycles, McKinley High School cheerleaders and band members marching, and representatives of veterans organizations carrying flags.

Sunshine beamed down from blue skies for ideal weather.

Local elected officials attended the parade and ceremony, including Mayor Tom Bernabei and City Council President William Sherer II.

The Memorial Day observance was presented by the Greater Canton Veterans Service Council. A three-volley rifle salute was given by members of the American Legion Post 44 Honor Guard.

Delivering remarks was De Ann M. Williams, executive director of the Veterans Service Commission of Stark County.

Vietnam veteran never misses a parade

David R. Roska of Canton served in the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1967.

"I respect veterans," he said. "I came here to honor those who didn't come back."

The Air Force veteran recalled visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., including a massive wall that lists the names of the more than 58,000 servicemen and women who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

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"It's very emotional," he said. "It's black granite, and it just reaches out and grabs you."

Roska, 81, helped provide ground communications in Vietnam for aircraft.

"The cookouts and everything are good, but the primary thing is to show respect for veterans living and dead," he said of Memorial Day.

Honoring the fallen with his dog Atticus

Dan Moore, 62, said he attends every Memorial Day Parade in Canton rain or shine.

"I just think it's important to recognize the ones who were lost," said Moore, who served in the Army from 1979 to 1985. "And that's what it's all about. I enjoy the weekend, but this is important to me."

Loyally at Moore's side was his rescue dog Atticus, as the owner readied for the parade.

"I have seen such change since I got out of (the military) in '85 in the appreciation of service members, especially after 9/11," he said. "The respect we get now is just unbelievable."

Parade is family affair

Denise Hancock, 39, of Canton, waited under the shade of trees in anticipation of her 15-year-old daughter marching in the parade as a McKinley High School cheerleader.

The Alliance High School graduate she said also wanted to honor those in the military. Her brother, Billie Hatcher, served in the Army, including two tours of duty in Iraq.

Weeks or months would pass before the family would hear from Hatcher when he was in combat in the Middle East, Hancock recalled. That was especially difficult for their mother.

"The military, they sacrifice a lot ... to fight for us," she said. "It's a big deal."

Kenneth Ash: 'I was very lucky.'

Kenneth Ash, 82, of Canton, served in the Army from 1963 to 1965 but wasn't sent to the battlefields of Vietnam. Stationed in Hawaii, the generator mechanic supported communication trucks.

"To me, the people back here were blaming the troops and not the politicians," the Timken steel retiree said of the Vietnam War. "It wasn't our war. We had to do what we had to do."

Wearing a veterans hat and a shirt emblazoned with "USA," Ash said, "I was very lucky. You didn't know. Next week, we could be moving out (to Vietnam)."

Patriotically dressed

Peggy Toth, 67, and Donna Bechtel of Akron were dressed stylishly patriotic.

Toth wore a visor patterned with stars and stripes. A heart-shaped American flag ring was on one of her fingers.

Toth's late father served in the Korean War. Attending the Memorial Day event since she was a child, Toth said the parade is the best in the area.

"I just feel like military people should be honored on Memorial Day," she said.

Joining the group was Toth's brother, Donald Bechtel.

Donna Bechtel said the true meaning of Memorial Day must never be forgotten. "We can't take it for granted," she said of the country's freedom.

Passing out flags and faith

Denny and Patty Blake passed out both small American flags and literature about the blessing of freedom in the United States, as well as the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

"It's important that we let people know that we appreciate their service," said Patty Blake of Perry Township. "And it's a good time to share Jesus Christ and his love, and he shed blood on the cross to give eternal life."

Both of their fathers served in World War II.

"We don't want to forget that the reason we have the freedom to do what we're doing today is that (service members) died to give us this freedom in this country," Blake said.

De Ann M. Williams: 'The awe of what has been given to us.'

Following the parade, De Ann M. Williams, executive director of the Veterans Service Commission of Stark County, was the featured speaker at the McKinley monument.

The Massillon native enlisted in the Army in 1986 and served in the 573rd Personnel Support Division and in the 82nd Airborne Division in Saudi Arabia before completing her active duty service in 1994. Williams later enlisted in the Navy Reserve.

Williams asked those in attendance to remember "the awe of what has been given to us (and) sacrificed for us" while acknowledging "the debt that we owe the men and women who chose to live as warriors.

"Keep the fallen in your minds, as well as their families and friends in your heart, because it's their immense sacrifices that keep us living free."

Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com

On Twitter @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Memorial Day parade and observance in Canton recalls sacrifice, honor