TOLEDO, Ohio – The Board of Lucas County Commissioners, City of Toledo, and the Toledo-Lucas County Memorial Day Association invite the public to attend the 2024 Memorial Day ceremony in downtown Toledo on Saturday, May 25.
The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the All Wars Memorial off of Jackson Street on the Civic Center Mall. Opening remarks will be provided by Retired Major Gary Bentley, who served with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing.
Lucas County Commissioner Lisa A. Sobecki, who served in the U.S. Navy, and Toledo City Council President Carrie Hartman will deliver remarks. Lieutenant Commander Patrick J. Brown of the U.S. Coast Guard will give the keynote address.
“It is important that we honor all the brave men and women who have served and who are active in the U.S. military. Memorial Day is a special day of honor for those who died while serving our country, and we are proud to be a part of our community’s annual remembrance,” the Lucas County Commissioners said. “We are fortunate to have great liberties in this country, but they do not come without a cost.”
Saturday’s program will feature a wreath laying ceremony at the All Wars Memorial, a flyover by the 180th Fighter Wing, and a POW-MIA empty chairs remembrance. Myron Stewart from the Lucas County Veterans Service Commission will deliver an invocation, Toledo School for the Arts student Maya Harris-Reeder will sing the National Anthem, and Retired Master Sergeant Steven Kosinksi, who served in the U.S. Marines, will conduct the Memorial Day Bell ceremony.
“Memorial Day is a time for reflection and reverence. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country cannot and will not be forgotten,” Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said. “I want to thank the Toledo-Lucas County Memorial Day Association for once again organizing this annual tribute to fallen service members.”
After the ceremony, the public is invited to learn from a static display of antique and current military weapons and equipment and enjoy lunch options from several food trucks that will be on site.
The nationally recognized Springfield High School Junior ROTC and the Springfield High School band will perform.
“Many people look forward to Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start of summer. I encourage individuals and families to take a few hours out of their Saturday to attend this community event to honor our fallen U.S. service members. It means a tremendous amount to all veterans,” Memorial Day Service Chairman Robert Schmitt said.
Jackson Street will be closed from Huron Street to Erie Street and from Erie Street to Michigan Street for the event.
The event will conclude at 4 p.m.