LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Lima residents lined the street on Monday to celebrate our nation's armed forces. Several parade participants explain just what those festivities mean to them.
For the past 65 parades, the first unit to walk down the street has been the Lima Exchange Club, kicking off the morning and setting the mood with their Give-a-Kid a Flag to Wave team. They add even more red, white, and blue to an already patriotic crowd, and give parade-watchers one more way to show their appreciation to the vets going by.
"Every year we lead the parade because we pass out 4,500 flags, little flags like this. And they appreciate it, the little kids love those flags," said Jack Somerville, the founder of the Lima Exchange Club.
This year's Grand Marshal, 98-year-old Howard Lackey, fought in Europe as a machine gunner during World War II.
"We went across Germany, across through Germany into Czechoslovakia. And there in Czechoslovakia, I saw Hitler's home. The top of it was all blown off and there was, I think, something like 30 rooms underground there," Lackey recalled.
The parade is always plenty of fun for kids, between the candy, decorated cars, and performances, but the veterans walking and riding in it have just as good of a time.
"Oh, it makes my heart feel good to be able to participate in a parade like this. People yell at you, and wave at you, and thank you for your service and all that. It's a beautiful thing, beautiful, beautiful thing," added Gary Gaberdiel, who served in both the Marine Corps and Navy and rode in a trailer with his fellow veterans during the parade.
This year's Memorial Day Parade had over 90 groups, including the City of Lima government, Deb's Dogs, and the Veterans Food Pantry.
