By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As she sat along Main Street this morning waiting for the Memorial Day Parade to pass by, Debbie Van Ausdal got goosebumps.
“Our area doesn’t have any parades anymore,” said Van Ausdal, of Dayton. “This is a beautiful town. I just love it.”
She came up to Bowling Green after her daughter, Sarah Galish, called to say she was going into labor. But since the baby decided to delay his or her arrival, Van Ausdal and Galish went to the parade to show respect for Van Ausdal’s father who served in the Korean War.
“It’s a way to honor him,” Van Ausdal said.
Bowling Green High School Marching Band on Court Street.
The annual parade started on South Main Street, stopped briefly at the Wood County Courthouse, then ended for the program at Oak Grove Cemetery. Marching were color guards from the BGSU Army ROTC Pershing Rifles, American Legion Post 45, and Paul C. Ladd VFW Post 1148. There were Civil War re-enactors, Korean War veterans, members of the local American Legion, VFW and AMVETS, plus BGSU student veterans, Bowling Green High School Marching Band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Along the parade route were several families, decked in red, white and blue, with children waving flags.
Sitting on the curb in front of Ben Franklin were two young adults, Jared Baker of Bowling Green, and Becky Wittkofski of Toledo.
“As a veteran, it’s a great way to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Baker, who served in the Air Force.
Wittkofski, whose dad retired from the Air Force, said she grew up as a “military brat.” “This is my first civilian parade in a while,” she said.
Down the street a bit was Julie Corrigan, whose husband Bruce, was directing the BGHS marching band. “I would come anyway,” she said.
“I think it’s important that the younger generation knows why we do these things. Sometimes I don’t think they know.” To some children if it’s not explained, she said, “it’s a parade with candy.”
Dave Hyslop makes sure to attend the parade every year he’s in town when Memorial Day rolls around. If he’s elsewhere, Hyslop, who has five years of active service and 31 years total service in the Navy, tries to locate a parade or service to attend.
Becky Wittkofski and Jared Baker watch parade downtown.
“If I’m traveling, I always try to find one. I just need to remember what people have done,” he said.
After the parade, Hyslop was planning to go to Weston Cemetery to visit the grave of a World War II veteran who was a mentor to him at Michigan State University.
“The military was very good to me. I met some great people,” he said.
At Oak Grove Cemetery, Scott Mattingly, of Bowling Green, waited for the parade to arrive.
“It’s just a tradition,” he said, explaining one of his grandfathers was in the Navy and the other in the Air Force. “I just do it out of respect for them.”
Brian Porter traveled from Marblehead to march as a Civil War re-enacter with the 14th Ohio Company E, of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He had several ancestors serve during the war. Though many spectators take pity on the re-enactors wearing their wool uniforms, Porter said the hot-looking uniforms don’t add too many degrees to already sweltering temperature.
“Ironically, it doesn’t add as much as you think,” he said. “The wool breathes.”
Speakers at the cemetery reminded those present of the debt owed to soldiers.
“Today we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” Douglas Kin said. They “stood tall and fought valiantly.” While some returned safely, others came home in “flag-draped coffins.”
“They made all that we have today possible,” Kin said.
Civil War re-enactors fire salute at county courthouse.
The keynote address was given by retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Scott Manning, who praised Bowling Green for continuing the Memorial Day parade tradition, and the community for supporting the efforts.
Manning, who was in the Air Force ROTC and met his wife while attending BGSU, asked those present to pray for the nation’s troops in hopes that they remain safe. “Yes, it’s OK to pray,” he said.
Manning said he is “slightly fearful” that the nation is losing its sense of history, and asked that parents “continue to instill in children what it means to be an American.” He asked that people read the U.S. Constitution, which military members take an oath to support.
“It still is emblazoned on the inner lining of my soul,” he said.
Manning asked that citizens not forget there are men and women currently in combat for the U.S., “and some are losing their lives right now.”
“We must teach our children that peace in this world is fragile,” and to protect that peace, a strong military is needed, he said. Manning served under five presidents, he said, noting Ronald Reagan’s philosophy that military strength is needed to preserve peace.
And Manning urged people to continue being proud of their nation. “We do have a great nation,” he said. “There is no finer place than right here. Never be ashamed of who we are.”
