Smithville honors fallen service members on Memorial Day

Residents lined the streets and later gathered at Smithville’s veterans memorial on Memorial Day as the village hosted its annual parade and remembrance ceremony.

The event combined patriotic tradition with reflection as participants moved from the Memorial Day parade to the veterans memorial in the park, where speakers reminded attendees of the purpose of the day: honoring those who died in service to the nation.

U.S. Army veteran and event emcee Dave Tschantz said while the fallen are our brothers and sisters in arms, remembrance belongs to the broader community.

“We’re not here to glorify war,” he said. “We are here to celebrate love because that is the only thing worth celebrating.”

Several speakers connected the ceremony to the nation’s ongoing America250 observances.

State Rep. Meredith Craig, a Smithville native, said she has attended the parade and ceremony for years and was struck by the size of the gathering.

“This is truly special to me because I have attended this parade and ceremony for many, many years, and this is by far the largest crowd we’ve ever had,” she said.

Wayne County Commissioner Matt Martin said the community has embraced the spirit of America250 by recognizing the sacrifices made over generations.

“We see the sacrifices that have been made over the last 250 years for our country, for our nation, for our communities,” he said.

Ohio State Sen. Al Landis encouraged attendees to carry Memorial Day’s message beyond a single day on the calendar.

“We need to pass on to the next generation — and the next generation and the next generation — how important it is to memorialize and remember,” he said.

Featured speaker retired Brig. Gen. Richard M. Green reflected on the distinction between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, emphasizing the sacrifices made by those who never returned home.

“Memorial Day is to honor those who have given their lives for our country and the freedoms that we all enjoy,” he said.

Green also praised the local veterans memorial and the community effort behind it.

“This veterans memorial is unbelievably amazing,” he said. “The community itself has done an unbelievable job.”

The ceremony also included an invocation, the posting of the colors, musical tributes by the Smithville High School band and a performance of “Some Gave All.”

Dan Starcher is the communications coordinator for Wayne County.