Poland sets 94th Memorial Day procession, ceremonies

Sons of The American Legion Mahoning Valley Squadron 15 is announcing the return of its annual Memorial Day procession and ceremonies this weekend.

This year’s events begin 9 a.m., Saturday, May 27 at historic Riverside Cemetery, where A Flying Flags For Heroes ceremony will be held in conjunction with the annual graves decoration.

Flying Flags For Heroes is a National Service Project implemented by National Commander Michael Fox with a goal of placing at least 1.5 million flags on the graves of veterans this year. Squadron 15 will place 1,500 flags, with the Detachment of Ohio committing to place 100,000 flags before the end of August.

The public is invited to attend and participate in the decoration of graves. Anyone wishing to assist can meet at the first driveway behind the chapel no later than 8:55 a.m.

On Memorial Day, Sons of The American Legion will conduct its annual Four Chaplains ceremony, honoring four military chaplains who gave up their life jackets after their ship, the USS Dorchester was hit by a torpedo and sunk. The ceremony begins 9:15 a.m. at the War Memorial Building Post 15 home, 35 Cortland St., Poland.

The 94th annual Memorial Day procession will step off from Post 15 promptly at 10 a.m., and travel down College Street, turn right on to South Main Street, where a ceremony for those lost at sea will take place on the Main Street Bridge. The procession will continue on South Main, turning left onto Riverside Drive and into Historic Riverside Cemetery for full Memorial Day ceremonies.

At 10:15 a.m, the ceremony honoring those lost at sea will take place on the Main Street Bridge. Squadron 15 is asking musicians, especially those who play trumpet, to go outside, and play “Taps” to honor and remember those lost in military service.

This year’s Chaplain of the Day is the Rev. Jeremy Hollingshead, pastor of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Youngstown, who will offer opening and closing prayers and brief remarks. The keynote speaker will be Vietnam War veteran Dan Rivers, host of The Dan Rivers Show on 570 WKBN. Procession grand marshal will be Corey Jones.

“Memorial Day is about remembering our military heroes who made the ultimate and supreme sacrifice to defend our great country. It is a day to recognize them and remember them. Memorial Day is a ‘Day of Remembrance.’ As proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we will do just that, remember them,” said Jeff Vrabel Sr., Sons of The American Legion past national vice-commander.

Call 330-565-5333 or email

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for more information. Mahoning Valley Squadron 15 also maintains a Facebook page.