Avon Lake Memorial Day Events Honor Those Who Died Serving

While Memorial Day is considered by many to be the unofficial start of summer, complete with parades, picnics and barbecues, many residents of Avon Lake took time to honor those who have died serving their country.

Approximately 100 people gathered at the to participate in a brief ceremony by the American Legion Post 211 that included a 21-gun salute, the reading of those who have died and served the country and the placing of a flowered wreath into Lake Erie.

 The service preceded the annual Memorial Day Parade (see tomorrow’s Patch for a photo gallery from the parade) which was followed by comments at.

Avon Lake Mayor K.C. Zuber and Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch spoke at the Folger Home of freedoms and sacrifices. Councilman Larry Meiners, the father of Jason Meiners, who was killed when his military jet crashed in 2001, directed park visitors to three new plaques by the flag pole, including one honoring his son. Other plaques include a renovated of those who served and a WWII plaque with the name of five Avon Lake High School graduates and students who were killed in the war.

The Veterans Park ceremony included the somber "missing roll call" that intersperses representatives of those living answering the roll call, and those who were killed not responding (see video).

Inside the , an array of military memorabilia was on display. The Folger Home intends to dedicate one room in the future as a military and history museum filled with Avon Lake artifacts.