MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Craig A. Stough 5/21/04

"Memorial Day, 2004"

The end of May brings a holiday long celebrated by Sylvania families to honor those who have bravely served our country. For over 50 years, Sylvania has had a Memorial Day Service and Parade on the last Monday of May. Many Americans have served their country. Many died in battle, and many more are now growing old and nearing the end of their lives. These patriots deserve our respect and acclaim.

The parade is sponsored by our local Veterans organizations and assisted by the City of Sylvania and Sylvania Recreation. Over the years, many of us have participated in the Memorial Day parade in one way or another to honor America's veterans. The Northview and Southview bands are always represented in the parade, and I fondly remember my first parade march in the Sylvania High School band on Memorial Day, 1968. Memories of honoring those who served our country are memories that I hope our children will make and share with their children.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with a memorial ceremony at Toledo Memorial Park near the 85 foot high Veterans Memorial Monument. Over 10,000 veterans are laid to rest in the cemetery, and the American Flag posted on the grave for each one creates a sea of flags. The parade leaves from Lourdes College and comes down Main Street at 10:00 a.m. A Memorial Day Service follows at the north end of Veterans Memorial Field.

There are five bronze monuments at Memorial Field honoring those who served in five wars, and list all Sylvanians who died in those conflicts. There is also a tank and a Howitzer Cannon on display. In addition to these tributes, a bronze statue cast in 1982 stands in front of the City of Sylvania Administration Building on Monroe Street, where it is visible to many more people on a daily basis.

Memorial Day is a patriotic day for all of us. If not veterans ourselves, nearly all of us have a relative or friend who has served in the armed forces or is serving today and putting their lives at risk to protect freedom. Many of us know of a relative, or a friend or member of our community who died in defense of our country. Memorial Day is the day to honor those heroes, and to celebrate our freedom. I invite all of you to join me in Sylvania on Memorial Day. Sylvania is a wonderful place for families to gather, honor our veterans and celebrate America on Memorial Day.