Fulton County Ohio Media

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DdZEaeGuRCMdfuK78

Yesterday morning the Swanton Community gathered to honor all who have fallen in defense of our great nation.  Organized by the Swanton American Legion Murbach-Siefert Post #479, the solemn event began with a parade that traveled south on Main Street and concluded at Memorial Park, in front of the WWI Doughboy Statue.  Post Commander John Schmidt served as the emcee and welcomed all in attendance.  Legion Chaplin Amy Herrick offered a prayer and Poppy Princess Emerald Klump led he crowd in reciting the National Anthem.

Commander Schmidt then addressed the crowd.  “Today, we celebrate Memorial Day, a day to honor the more than one million veterans that have died in battles since the Revolutionary War.  We also honor those more than four million veterans who have worn the uniform and swore an oath to protect our country against all enemies, foreign and domestic, who are buried all over the world.”

“In the Swanton community alone, we honor almost one thousand veterans buried in local cemeteries.  At noon today, the Swanton American Legion Honor Guard will visit seven local cemeteries to render military honors to those veterans resting in eternal peace.  This is a solemn day.  But it is also a day filled with joy as we celebrate the beginning of our summer activities.  Activities we can participate in with peace and freedom because of those brave souls that have gone before us to protect our way of life.”

The featured speaker for the day was one of Swanton High School’s best and brightest, Hailey Frosch.  Hailey, the Junior Student Council President and a member of the National Honor Society and the national Society of High School Scholars, gave her in sight into what Memorial Day means to today’s generation of students as they begin to realize and understand the sacrifices yesterday’s and today’s military heroes have made.  Following her speech, the Honor Guard presented a 21-gun salute.  Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, Commander Schmidt invited everyone back to the Swanton Legion for a complimentary lunch.

Click on the link above to access photos from the day. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website