By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As other veterans marched past in the Memorial Day parade through downtown Bowling Green, John Barnes stood on the sidewalk. A U.S. Marine Corp veteran of the Korean War, Barnes makes a conscious decision every year to not march.
“I just watch. I think people who put on the parade should have someone observing them,” said Barnes, of Bowling Green. “They should not be neglected.”
Others along Monday’s parade route were also there to show their respects.
“I just feel like I need to honor the veterans,” said Tony Aspacher, who rode his bicycle downtown.
BGHS Marching Band heads toward Oak Grove Cemetery.
Betsy Grey was there to see her grandson lend a beat to the parade on the quad-drums with the Bowling Green High School Marching Band – and to pay her respects.
“It’s not very long, but what’s in it is enjoyable,” she said.
American flags had been posted along Main Street, and children stood curbside waving small versions of Old Glory.
Most of the adults were hugging shady spots as the temperatures soared – but they felt compelled to be there.
“I wanted to honor the people who sacrificed for our country,” said Norma Stickler, of Bowling Green.
As is tradition, the parade traveled from downtown to the front of the Wood County Courthouse for a gun salute by Civil War re-enactors. Then it headed to Oak Grove Cemetery, where a program was held, with the annual reading of General Logan’s Orders, the Gettysburg Address, and the laying of the wreaths for veterans of every war. World War II veteran Silverio Gonzalez was again able to place the wreath representing those who perished in that war.
Mayor Dick Edwards places a wreath at Korean War Memorial.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Hopingardner reminded those present that Memorial Day was born from the ashes of the Civil War. Families of the 620,000 Americans killed in the war wanted some way to memorialize their fallen loved ones.
“In those dark times, it was the families honoring their dead,” said Hopingardner, a professor of military science at Bowling Green State University, who has served three deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.
“We continue to honor our troops,” he said, urging those present to listen carefully to hear the voices of those who served and their families.
“There are children without parents, mothers and fathers, siblings” – all who can still hear the voices of those who they lost. “It’s up to us to hear the voices of these families” and honor them, he said.
“Many didn’t even volunteer for service,” Hopingardner said. “They were ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways.”
Flags in Oak Grove Cemetery
The long-standing tradition of Memorial Day – initially called Decoration Day – is to position the flag at half staff until noon. Then it is to be raised to the top of the flag pole, he stressed.
“We are here to remember,” he said. “We are not here to mourn.”
“Our war dead are not victims. They are heroes,” Hopingardner said.
Hopingardner talked about friends he lost in the service – some in a helicopter crash during a rescue mission.
“All of us who have been in combat know death is not glorious,” he said.
“Heroism isn’t about stories and medals. It’s about sacrifice,” he said.
Hopingardner also said that the nation needs to stand up for its values, regardless of the sacrifice.
“Honoring our war dead is about our future, not our past,” he said.
The program ended with the singing of a patriotic song by Evie Van Vorhis, another 21-gun salute, and the playing of Taps.
Jane Fawcett with her three children, Patrick, Molly, and Daniel watch the Memorial Day Parade as it approaches Oak Grove Cemetery. The kids were waving at their dad, Joe Fawcett, and grandfather, John Fawcett, who were in the parade.
