MOUNT VERNON – The City of Mount Vernon’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 26 with U.S. Army Veteran Jim Beroth, accompanied by his granddaughter Elise, serving as parade grand marshal.
About 55 participants have signed up to be part of the parade, Mayor Matt Starr said.
“Memorial Day is when we pay homage to those veterans who didn’t come home. It’s not a celebration, but a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom,” Starr said. “And we don’t just mourn the passing of those who gave their lives, we thank God that they lived and had the courage to risk making that sacrifice.”
The theme for this year’s event is “We Honor the Fallen.”
The parade will start by heading west from the intersection of East High Street and George Street.
It will then turn south, or left, on South Gay Street before turning east (left) onto East Vine Street.
The route continues, ending at the intersection of East Vine and South Park streets.
Notre for parade participants
When the parade ends, participants can exit the parade route directly, with the exception of equestrian entries, which will turn north (left) on South Park Street, then turn east (right) on East High Street, making a final turn north (left) on Ringwalt Boulevard.
Remembrance continues at Knox Memorial
The Memorial Day activities will continue with Kevin L. Henthorn (U.S. Air Force), executive director of Knox County Veterans Services, acting as master of ceremonies from the steps of the Knox Memorial Building, 112 E. High St.
The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Knox County Veterans Services Commissioner George Curry (U.S. Army, Vietnam, Purple Heart). Mount Vernon High School student Lily Mayville will sing the National Anthem, with wreath placings by the Gold Star Mothers and Knox County Career Center Air Force JROTC to follow.
There will be a special flag dedication led by Henthorn, and a special guest presentation by Knox County Commissioner Barry Lester (U.S. Army).
Gary McCutcheon will perform “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Representatives from AMVETS Post No. 95 will offer a rifle salute, with a performance of “Taps” by a Mount Vernon High School trumpeter Madalyn Noble closing out the ceremony.
Parade participant instructions
All participants shall arrive at their respective check-in staging areas between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. in accordance with the reporting instructions they have received via email.
Equestrian Entries
- Check in with the parade team member at East High Street and Edgewood Road. From
there you will proceed to the holding area for horses. - At the intersection of Edgewood Road and East Chestnut Street, heading west, park your vehicles in the grassy, open area ahead and to the right known as Chestnut Boulevard, where your flight leader will meet you. Once you have your animals ready, proceed to your designated staging area on East High Street. All horses must be in place no later than 10 a.m.
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