Parade, cemetery services mark Memorial Day in Malvern

Residents and veterans gathered May 25 in Malvern to honor military service members who gave their lives in service to the United States during the community’s annual Memorial Day observances.

Following a breakfast served by American Legion Post 375, participants gathered at the Malvern Historical Society for a brief ceremony at the Veterans Wall before the parade traveled through town.

The procession continued to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Cemetery for a short ceremony before concluding at Bethlehem Cemetery, where featured speaker Preston Anderson addressed those attending.

Bill Logozzo served as emcee for the event representing Malvern American Legion Post 375.

Patriotic music and taps were performed by the Malvern Brown Local Schools band during the ceremony. A traditional three-volley salute was also conducted in honor of fallen veterans.

Pastor Kevin Crater of First Christian Church of Malvern opened the Bethlehem Cemetery service with prayer, thanking veterans and military families for their sacrifices.

“Thank you for all the people who are here to celebrate all those men and women who sacrificed their lives so that we can have the freedom today,” Crater said.

Anderson, a U.S. Army veteran who served more than a decade including deployment in Iraq, spoke about sacrifice, remembrance and the true meaning of Memorial Day.

“Today is not first about hotels, long weekends, flags on porches or the unofficial start of summer,” Anderson said. “It’s a graveyard holiday.”

Anderson said Memorial Day should remain focused on honoring those who never returned home from war.

“There are Americans who never came home, men who died in jungles, deserts, mountains, oceans and skies,” he said.

He said modern society often becomes distracted from the true meaning of sacrifice and duty.

“We like comfort, we like distraction, we like celebration without remembrance,” Anderson said.

Quoting scripture during his remarks, Anderson referenced the verse, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Anderson said cemeteries and memorials serve as reminders that freedom and peace are not guaranteed.

“Freedom is not self-sustaining,” Anderson said. “Order is not automatic. Peace is not normal.”

He told those attending that Memorial Day should challenge Americans to reflect on how they live and whether they are honoring the sacrifices made by military service members.

“Memorial Day should not merely stir emotions,” Anderson said. “It should provoke repentance and resolve.”

Anderson also spoke about the importance of remembering the stories behind the names engraved on monuments and headstones.

“To truly honor their lives, we must remember their stories,” he said.

He encouraged those attending to live lives marked by responsibility, courage and service to others.

“Every generation inherits a choice,” Anderson said. “Will we be soft people who presume upon blessings we did not build, or will we be people of courage, gratitude, responsibility and honor?”

Anderson also reflected on the importance of faith, remembrance and gratitude.

“We stop and say their names matter,” he said. “Their lives mattered. Their sacrifice mattered.”

According to his biography shared during the service, Anderson comes from a multigenerational military family. His father suffered long-term health complications connected to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam era, while his son has also continued the family tradition of military service.

In addition to operating an automotive repair shop, Anderson also serves as a VA commissioner advocating for fellow veterans and helping military families navigate challenges after service.

Anderson concluded by encouraging those attending to continue honoring veterans not only during Memorial Day ceremonies, but throughout the year.

“Let us never forget the fallen,” Anderson said. “And let us never forget the God before whom every nation stands.”

The ceremony concluded with thanks to veterans, community members and all who participated in the day’s observances. Attendees were also invited to return to American Legion Post 375 following the service for a light lunch.