MOUNT VERNON – The City of Mount Vernon’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27, with Jack Scott, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving as parade grand marshal.
Mayor Matt Starr said about 50 participants have signed up to participate in the parade.
“As with every community across the nation, the City of Mount Vernon has made its fair share of sacrifices throughout its long, 219-year history to help defend this nation,” said Starr. “It’s altogether fitting and proper that we take a moment – on this May 27, and every Memorial Day – to honor those ultimate sacrifices that have been made.”
This year’s event theme is “We Remember and Honor.”
The Memorial Day 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, making a final turn heading north (left) onto South Park Street, from where it will head back to East High Street.
The parade will “officially” end at the intersection of East Vine and South Park streets. Participants can then return to the staging area or leave the parade directly./
Remembrance continues at Knox Memorial
The Memorial Day activities will continue with Kevin L. Henthorn, executive director of Knox County Veterans Services, acting as master of ceremonies from the steps of the Knox Memorial Building, 112 E. High St.
Retired U.S. Army Chaplain Don Wilson will offer the invocation and benediction. The Pledge of Allegiance will follow with Wilson Warner (U.S. Army) of the Veterans Service Commission leading attendees.
Mount Vernon High School student Kale Oswalt will sing the National Anthem, with wreath placings by the Gold Star Mothers and Knox County Career Center Air Force JROTC to follow.
“And in an addition to this year’s program, we will be paying tribute to our Missing in Action and Prisoners of War with a ‘Missing Man Table’ and honors ceremony, what is commonly known as the POW-MIA ceremony,” said Henthorn.
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 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.
▪ All entries (except equestrian entries; see below), including persons only and any vehicles, will enter at the intersection of East High Street and Edgewood Road. A Memorial Day Parade team member will check you in there and direct you to your flight leader for staging.
▪ If you have a large group walking who are in a holding area (such as East Elementary School), the leader can check everyone in at East High and Edgewood while the group is in the holding area.
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 your animals are 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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