As will occur in similar communities across the United States, Galion residents pause May 29 to remember the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our nation, as the city’s annual Memorial Day Parade is held.

The morning event, which begins at 10 a.m., plans to follow its traditional route, beginning at the American Legion on South Market Street, then moving along Harding Way, before heading north and ending at Fairview Cemetery.

The official ceremony at the cemetery includes a reading of the names of local veterans who have passed away since last year’s Memorial Day ceremony. Wreaths will then be laid by various organizations in their honor.

Bands from local schools are invited, as groups march below the famous flags of Galion veterans that adorn Uptowne’s streets.

Dan Brady from the VFW is the event coordinator this year.

The patriotic, yet solemn event comes after grave decoration and Armed Forces Day, whereupon volunteers placed thousands of American flags on graves at Fairview and smaller cemeteries across outlying portions of the county.

As brief background, Memorial Day began 155 years ago when Civil War General, future president and Ohio native James Garfield addressed thousands of families of the fallen at an Arlington National Cemetery ceremony.

Originally known as “Decoration Day” to honor the 650,000 men — more than 30,000 from Ohio — who lost their lives in our country’s bloodiest war, the holiday received its initial nickname when citizens honored soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers. As years went on, they included all deceased veterans who perished defending the country.

A.J. Kaufman is a correspondent for the Galion Inquirer.