VFW Post 5108 hosts Veterans Day Parade, Commemoration Ceremony
Military veterans salute as attendees clap to recognize the veterans at the Commemoration Ceremony in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Mayor Josh Schlicher (right) speaks at the ceremony with Tim Gillenwalters (left) in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
BSA Troop 207 walks in the Veterans Day parade on Front Street on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Washington County Veterans Service Commission honor guard preforms gun salute concluding the parade and commemoration ceremony in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Jim Heikkinen (right) gives an invocation during the ceremony beside the Marietta Fire Department honor guard including (second from right) Firefighters Steve Hill, Doug Seevers, Logan Mahaney, and Dave Ross in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Attendees of the Commemoration Ceremony following the parade in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Military veterans salute as attendees clap to recognize the veterans at the Commemoration Ceremony in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Mayor Josh Schlicher (right) speaks at the ceremony with Tim Gillenwalters (left) in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
BSA Troop 207 walks in the Veterans Day parade on Front Street on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Washington County Veterans Service Commission honor guard preforms gun salute concluding the parade and commemoration ceremony in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Jim Heikkinen (right) gives an invocation during the ceremony beside the Marietta Fire Department honor guard including (second from right) Firefighters Steve Hill, Doug Seevers, Logan Mahaney, and Dave Ross in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
Attendees of the Commemoration Ceremony following the parade in Muskingum Park on Wednesday morning. (Photo by Sophie Wheeler)
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MARIETTA - The VFW Post 5108 presented the Veteran's Day parade in Marietta on Tuesday morning.
The parade featured the Marietta Fire Department honor guard and the Veterans Service Commission honor guard leading the parade, with cars representing veterans following.
Following the parade, a commemoration ceremony took place with speakers Tim Gillenwalters, president of the Washington County Veterans Service Commission, Mayor Josh Schlicher, and Master Sgt. Jim Heikkinen, a Marine and Army veteran, who gave an invocation.
"Today is a day of recognizing veterans that served...When you leave here thank a veteran, thank you all for coming," Gillenwaters said.
Schlicher spoke on the impact on the community and recognizing the service of veterans.
"Today we pause as a community and as a nation to honor the men and women who wore the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. To say two simple but powerful words: Thank you...Here in a small town like ours, we understand something special about our communities. We know our neighbors. We know the families who live down the street. We see familiar faces at the grocery store, at school events, at church, and around town. Sometimes among those familiar faces are men and women who have served our country in uniform," he said.
"Every veteran has made a commitment, and every veteran deserves our gratitude...(Veterans Day) is about honoring those who answered the call to serve our freedom...I believe that honoring veterans is more than something we do once each year. To honor veterans when we listen to their stories, when we teach our children about sacrifices made to protect our freedoms. ... Let us continue to stand together, different backgrounds or opinions, but as Americans and as neighbors. God bless our veterans, " Schlicher said.
Heikkinen gave an invocation, honoring veterans and their commitment to their service.
"On this Veteran Day, we come before you acknowledging the sacrifices made by our military heroes and expressing our profound appreciation for military heroes and expressing our profound appreciation for their selfless service. We thank you for the freedoms we enjoy," he said.
"As we embark on this day of reflection and gratitude, may your presence be felt among us, inspiring us a renewed commitment to honor the legacy of our veterans by upholding the values for which they fought, guide our nation in fostering a culture of respect and appreciation for those who have served. We offer this prayer with sincere hearts, mindful of the sacrifices that have paved the way for the liberties we cherish. May our gratitude be enduring, a tribute to the heroes of our armed forces, past and present," Heikkinen said.