County honors dead on Memorial Day

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert communities celebrated the sacrifices of its military veterans with a number of services Monday in honor of Memorial Day.

Included in those celebrations was one at Woodland Cemetery in Van Wert that was conducted by four veterans organizations: American Legion Post 178, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, Amvets Post 698 in Middle Point and Disabled American Veterans Unit 154.

The Van Wert Brass Band provided a number of musical selections for the ceremony, including “God Bless America,” while the main message was provided by Pastor Bryan Vercler, youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Van Wert.

Pastor Vercler, who is himself a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, talked about his own experiences as a Marine, as well as the sacrifices made by veterans and their families.

The local minister singled out the sacrifices of those veterans who laid down their lives during America’s wars so that Americans could free, while also talking about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who also gave his life so that people could be saved.

Following the message, a wreath was laid by Mike Moulton, Brock Blackmore, John Pavel and Gale Schutt at Woodland Cemetery, while another wreath was also laid during a ceremony at Memorial Park on West Main Street.

A 21-gun salute was also given at both sites by the Color Guard made up of members of the four veterans organizations, with “Taps” sounded as well in honor of those who gave their lives while in the service of their country.

A lunch was served following the services at American Legion Post 178, adjacent to Memorial Park.

Similar Memorial Day services were held in Convoy, Ohio City, Delphos and Venedocia, with a parade part of Convoy’s Memorial Day celebration.