LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – It was a celebration of freedom in downtown Lima on Memorial Day, as thousands came together to honor those in the military who fought and died to protect it.
This year marked the third annual Memorial Day parade organized by the Friends of Lima. More than 100 floats, bands and vehicles made their way down Main Street in a spirited tribute to fallen service members. Event organizers were encouraged by the strong turnout and community engagement.
More than 100 floats, bands and vehicles made their way down Main Street in a spirited tribute to fallen service members.
“I'm proud of America, and this is an opportunity for us to come out and display our pride for our country. And I am overwhelmed by the response that I get personally from the parade. And I couldn't—it couldn't go any better. Well, I think everyone can get behind our military and come out here and support them, and it's a great thing,” said Aaron Poling of Friends of Lima.
For veterans who served during wartime, the event provided a meaningful space to reflect on the sacrifices of those who didn’t make it home.
“It's awesome to walk down through here and see all the different people, especially the young children or young adults and smiles on their faces and flags and everything. Everybody ought to be out here to watch this. This is awesome. I lost quite a few friends in Vietnam, and this is a day where we can honor them and say thank you to them,” said Butch Brewer, president of the Vietnam Veterans Association.
Organizers noted that the parade continues to grow each year and said they may need to explore new staging options to accommodate the increasing participation.
