A week of celebration and remembrance culminating in a time-honored tradition begins Tuesday.

Saturday, May 20, 2000

A week of celebration and remembrance culminating in a time-honored tradition begins Tuesday.

The Ironton Memorial Day Parade will mark its 132nd running May 29, as bands, floats and honor guards take to the city streets to honor this year’s theme – "2000 – May We Never Forget."

The parade committee will begin the city’s week of celebration by honoring past parade royalty, said Kathy Boyd, this year’s grand marshal and parade chairwoman.

"May 23 is our Past Grand Marshals Dinner, which will begin at about 6 p.m. at the Ironton Elks’ Club," Ms. Boyd said. "This dinner is for the past grand marshals, the present grand marshal, the volunteers and everyone on the parade committee."

After remembering those who have helped make the parade possible, the committee will sponsor an annual event that encourages residents to honor those who fought for freedom on the high seas.

Navy Night, a salute to the men and women who have served in the Navy, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine or other water-borne unit, will be honored Thursday at a special riverfront ceremony at 7 p.m. on Center Street Landing.

"Navy Night is May 25, and everyone is welcome to this event," Ms. Boyd said. "We hope to see a great turnout for the event – it’s very beautiful to see."

Rock Hill High School Marching Band will lead the processional to the waterfront, while a 21-foot U.S. Navy vessel will be strategically positioned for placement of a floating wreath of flowers into the Ohio River, she said.

"Navy night is in honor of Naval veterans, but all of the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend," Ms. Boyd explained. "There will be a choir and several military representatives there, and the Girl Scouts will provide flowers."

Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas Judge Richard Walton will host the event as master of ceremonies and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams is scheduled as the guest of honor. Additionally, Boatswain Mate First Class Marty Bartlett, U.S. Coast Guard, is slated as guest speaker for the evening of honor and remembrance for the fallen soldiers.

Preceding the parade festivities, special military cemetery services also are planned, Ms. Boyd said.

"The traditional cemetery services are at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon in the Soldiers’ Section at Woodland Cemetery," she said. "Representatives from VFW groups across the state and our local VFW post will direct the event and provide the 21-gun salute."

Monday morning, the parade recognized by the State of Ohio as the oldest continuously running parade in the nation will begin at 10 a.m.

"Everyone has worked so hard on the parade this year," Ms. Boyd said. "It always is an enjoyable event, and we will have several floats this year and many interesting segments to the parade."

For residents unable to attend the big event this year, Adelphia Cable of Ironton announced that WKEE FM radio personality and Ironton resident J.B. Miller will host the cable company’s live parade telecast. Also from WKEE, Ironton resident Terry Hapney will join in the float-by-float descriptions, which will be shown live during the parade and tape-delayed for other airings.

"The parade is a big event for Ironton and Lawrence County," Ms. Boyd said. "Many families plan their reunions and get-togethers around the parade. We hope everyone comes out and joins in the memories and the celebration."