Memorial Day remembrances, parades planned in Portage

Possibly thought of more as the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day is a time of remembrance honoring those who gave their lives in service to this country.

While Memorial Day brings barbecues, sales and graduation parties, there are also parades, cemetery visits and ceremonies for those who mark the day more traditionally.

It has been a federal holiday since 1971, but Memorial Day’s history stretches back to the Civil War when it was known as Decoration Day. May 30 was designated “for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

Where are services, parades planned in Portage?

If you want to pay your respects this Memorial Day, here's where you can do it in the Portage County area:

Atwater — A parade will step off from Bank Street and Waterloo Road at noon Monday and will proceed to Atwater Town Hall where a service will be held.

Aurora — A wreath-laying ceremony will be held at 10:15 a.m. Monday at Veterans Memorial Park. Local American Legion and VFW posts join Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin. Procession to follow leading to Aurora Cemetery.

Brimfield  — A service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Restland Cemetery.

Deerfield — A parade will begin at the Deerfield Fire Department, 9482 Route 224, at 9 a.m. Monday. Lineup of parade participants will begin at 8:30 a.m. The parade will proceed to Deerfield Cemetery off Route 224, where the Deerfield American Legion will conduct a small wreath-laying ceremony.

Edinburg — The parade will step off at 11 a.m. Monday from Edinburg United Church of Christ on Rock Spring Road and head to Edinburg Cemetery for a ceremony.

Garrettsville — A ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at Veterans Memorial on Maple Avenue. A parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. from Baptist Cemetery to Park Cemetery on Center Street, followed by a service.

Hiram — A parade will be held at noon Monday from Hiram Christian Church, state routes 82 and 700, to Fairview Cemetery on Route 82, followed by a service.

Kent — Kent American Legion Post 496 is sponsoring a parade that steps off on East Main Street at DePeyster Street at 10 a.m. Monday. The parade will head to Standing Rock Cemetery for a ceremony.

Mantua — A parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Old Village School on Main Street and end at Hillside Cemetery for a service. On Tuesday, a dedication ceremony will be held at the cemetery for the village's KIA memorial at 1 p.m.

Mantua Township — A service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Westlawn Cemetery.

Mogadore — A parade will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the intersection of James Street and South Cleveland Avenue.  It  will then proceed down South Cleveland Avenue and turn onto Mogadore Road toward the Greenwood Cemetery, where a brief ceremony will take place. There also will be a bike decorating contest at 9:30 a.m. in the Synthomer parking lot next to the Village Municipal Building.

Nelson Township — A service will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the veterans memorial at Nelson Circle.

Randolph — The Randolph Fire Department will host a pancake breakfast at the fire station, 1639 Route 44, starting at 7:30 a.m. Monday, with a parade following at 10 a.m.

Ravenna — At 10:30 a.m. Monday, a military honor guard will form at the Veterans Memorial at the Portage County Courthouse lawn for a gun salute. A service will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Rootstown — A parade will step off at 10 a.m. Monday, traveling from Loretta Drive, eastbound on Tallmadge Road, to Homeland Cemetery.

Streetsboro — A Round Robin with American Legion Post 685 and VFW Post 9716 will begin at 9 a.m. Monday at the legion post at 10001 Aurora-Hudson Road for a service. A second service will follow at the VFW post at 9435 Route 43. Participants will then head to Evergreen Cemetery for a service and end at Woodside Lake Park, 2486 Frost Road for a final service.

Suffield — A 10 a.m. Monday parade will step off from Old Waterloo Road between Congress Lake Road and Catherine Road, crosses Route 43, and ends at Suffield Elementary School/Lions Park, 1128 Waterloo Road. A ceremony will follow the parade at 11:15 at the school.

Windham — A parade will begin at noon Monday at North Main and Center streets and end at Windham Township Cemetery for a ceremony will be held.

What is Memorial Day and what are its origins?

Memorial Day is a federal holiday mourning the loss of military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Memorial Day got its start three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, when the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30, when it was thought that flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

More: Remembering the United States Colored Troops who helped win the Civil War

Even though numerous communities had been independently celebrating Memorial Day for years, the federal government declared Waterloo, N.Y. the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo first celebrated the holiday on May 5, 1866.

When is Memorial Day 2022?

This year, Memorial Day will be marked on May 30. Until 1971, Memorial Day was always marked on May 30. That year, Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May and a federal holiday.

Why you shouldn't say 'Happy Memorial Day'

While it may be an instinct to wish someone a happy Memorial Day, there's a debate about whether that's appropriate on a somber holiday.

Since the word has a joyous connotation, some think "Happy Memorial Day" is an inappropriate sentiment. For those who have lost a loved one, it can come across as insensitive, and may indicate that the holiday has lost its meaning.

Should you thank a veteran on Memorial Day?

Thanking a veteran for their service is more appropriate for Veterans Day, the holiday in November to honor veterans for their service to the United States. "I hope you're having a meaningful day" might be one of the better things to say to a veteran.

Memorial Day traditions include parades, ceremonies

Memorial Day parades, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations, are among the traditions cities across the United States hold for the remembrance. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C.

Things to know: 10 historical facts about Memorial Day

Many also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Some wear a red poppy to remember those fallen in war—a tradition that began with a World War I poem. 

As the unofficial start of summer, many people have barbecues or get away for the weekend to mark Memorial Day.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Memorial Day remembrances, ceremonies, parades planned in Portage