Memorial Day ceremonies planned in Minerva, Paris Township

The Don V. Cross American Legion Post 357 and Donald G. Whetstone VFW Post 4120 have announced plans for several Memorial Day weekend services honoring military veterans.

The first service will be held Sunday, May 24, at Liberty Cemetery on Blade Road in Paris Township. The program will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Veteran William Logozzo will serve as the featured speaker for the Liberty Cemetery ceremony. Logozzo is a 22-year U.S. Army veteran with active duty, active reserve and reserve service. He served in Vietnam and retired following Desert Storm in 1992.

Logozzo is a member of American Legion Post 375 in Malvern and a life member of VFW Post 4120 in Minerva. He also previously served as commander of the Carroll County 40 & 8 and resides in Malvern.

The Liberty Cemetery program will also include a reading of the Gettysburg Address by a Minerva Middle School student and patriotic music performed by the Minerva Middle School Band. Pastor Dennis Coy will provide the invocation and benediction.

Members of VFW Post 4120 will conduct the three-volley salute and play taps.

Memorial Day services will continue Monday, May 25, with a brief ceremony at Valley Street Cemetery in Minerva beginning at 10 a.m. VFW Post 4120 will provide the three-volley salute and taps during the service.

Additional Memorial Day services will take place Monday at East Lawn Cemetery on East Line Street in Minerva beginning at 11 a.m.

Veteran Howard K. Marotto will be the featured speaker for the East Lawn Cemetery ceremony. Marotto is the past commander of District 10 for the American Legion Department of Ohio and also previously served as commander of Massillon Post 221.

Marotto served four years in the United States Navy from January 1970 until January 1974. Following his military service, he worked in the airline industry for 35 years before retiring in 2005. He currently serves as director of Children, Youth and Special Olympics for the American Legion’s 10th District and resides in Canton.

The East Lawn Cemetery program will also feature a Gettysburg Address presentation by a Minerva Middle School student and patriotic selections performed by the Minerva High School Concert Band. Chaplain Matthew Baxter will provide the invocation and benediction.

VFW Post 4120 will conduct the three-volley salute, play taps and participate in the laying of the wreath ceremony.