UH Memorial Day parade honors and remembers those who sacrificed

The University Heights Memorial Day Parade kicks off on Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m. Photo by Caleb Schuster.

Summer kicks off in University Heights on May 27 with the annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade honors those who gave their lives in service to the United States, and also celebrates the sacrifices that our veterans made.

“Memorial Day signals the beginning of summer. For many of us, it is so much more than that,” said Rachel Mullen, the new special projects coordinator for University Heights. “It is a time to reflect and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.”

In July 1944, Mullen’s great-uncle was killed in France fighting the Nazis during World War II. “While my uncle died before I was even born, I was very aware of his sacrifice,” she said. “Like many Gold Star Families, this loss is one felt for generations.”

As a child, Mullen accompanied her grandparents to her great-uncle’s grave on the last Monday of every May. Her children now join her for the annual visit. “We always have fun Memorial Day weekend, but we always pause to honor our uncle whose life ended protecting ours,” Mullen said.

As the city’s special projects coordinator, Mullen is the lead organizer of this year’s Memorial Day parade, which will feature the National Guard Band, the Northcoast Pipe Band, and the Dixieland Band. Henry and Adele Zucker will serve as Grand Marshals.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day, at the intersection of Silsby and Ashurst roads. It will travel east on Silsby, then head south on South Belvoir Boulevard.

The parade will end at John Carroll University, where a post-parade memorial ceremony will be held, with Major Sergeant General Royce Achterberg as the featured speaker.  After the ceremony, there will be fun activities for kids, including inflatables and pony rides.

Mike Cook

Mike Cook is the communications and civic engagement coordinator for University Heights.

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Volume 12, Issue 5, Posted 11:18 AM, 05.02.2019