By Paula Scott
Memorial Day 2023 was a sunny, breezy day in Ada and ceremonies at Woodlawn Cemetery, 5134 State Route 235, featured bright blue skies and briskly snapping flags. The event was co-sponsored by Foss-Agin-Meyer Post 195 of the American Legion and Ream-McElroy Post 9381 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
American Legion Commander Matt Crawford welcomed attendees and VFW Chaplain Allen Conley delivered the invocation, followed by the posting of colors by the VFW Color Guard.
Crawford opened the program saying “We honor the memory of those who gave their lives in the service of our country and of those others who have dropped their burdens by the wayside of life…. May the ceremonies of today deepen our reverence for our departed friends and comrades.”
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance, after which the Ada High School Band, under the direction of Carter Bivens, played the National Anthem. The band later played God Bless the USA.
Presentations included recitations by this year’s Buckeye Boys State and Buckeye Girls State representatives. Upper Scioto Valley student Hunter Hensley read the Gettysburg Address and Ada High School student Jillian Haselton read In Flanders Fields, a World War I era poem by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.
Thirteen chairs were displayed in a row, each covered with a cross of red poppies, representing the wars in which U.S. military personnel have served. Members of the VFW Auxiliary, escorted by VFW Commander Brian Clum, placed each cross around the Woodlawn monument inscribed with a dedication to the “men and women of Ada and vicinity who served their country in war.”
The program’s guest speaker was Ada historian Lee Crouse, who said he never “in his wildest dreams” expected to be part of “such an honorable occasion.” Crouse noted that he had failed his draft physical due to poor vision. While he confessed that he had not been to the program recently, he urged “everyone in Ada and Liberty Township” to attend: “If it weren’t for the men and women who served our country bravely, we might not have the privilege and honor to have this service.”
Crouse then read the names of Ada men who died in World War I (and noted that 21 Ohio Northern University students were killed in WWI), World War II, Vietnam and Afghanistan. He also spoke of those who returned home with physical and mental injuries, and those who lived out their days in hospitals and nursing homes: “These men lived out their wars every day of their lives…. We need to thank God for those who were lucky enough to come back and spend their days in a normal, productive society.”
The service was concluded with a 21-gun salute by the VFW Color Guard and Taps played by Matthew Frazier.
