MEMORIAL DAY--
POTPOURRI

On our long holiday weekend we ricocheted between our patriotic square dance of the season, to a cemetery salute to the area's founding citizens, to Mansfield's Memorial Day parade and tribute to our nation's war dead, to a traditional cook-out in the exquisite fellowship of good friends.

Local radio personality Rusty Cates (top) portrayed Harold Arlin in a Living History presentation Sunday, May 29th at the Mansfield Cemetery.  That was marvelous casting in that Mr. Arlin was the nation's very first radio announcer and enjoyed an early career with Pittsburgh's station KDKA--the nation's first commercial radio station where in November 1920 from a small shack on the roof of Pittsburgh's Westinghouse factory he broadcast the results of the Harding-Cox presidential election.  Mansfield Senior High School's Arlin Field is named after him.

Margie Cutnaw portrays daughter Helen of  John Simpson (lower photo) for whom my junior high school was named.  That building sits on the site of the city's first high school (part of which still stands) at the corner of Bowman and W. Fourth St.

Forty nine members of the Mansfield Johnny Appleseeds square dance club, most dressed in patriotic attire, hosted area dancers Saturday night in our opening event of the weekend's Memorial Day celebration.

Monday's celebration was highlighted by Mansfield's annual parade, moved downtown this year from the Mansfield cemetery because of a deteriorated amphitheater there.  It launched down Park Ave., West from Bowman St., and concluded the formal celebration in the city square.

I wondered if the young man to my left, seated along the parade route, would practice proper flag etiquette when the color guards passed by.  Much to my amazement he and his entire family did.

Our celebration concluded Monday evening at ladyfriend Sue's home with a cookout in the presence of our dancing friends the Kargers, the Meinzers and the Matzs.

During the evening's robust conversation I was moved to reflect on how folks often find a very personal way to honor the holiday.

Along the parade route, that often occurred with youngsters waving tiny American flags as the veterans passed by.

At our picnic, that occurred when Nancy Meinzer shared her dessert; a pastry done in the form of our Nation's flag.

Nancy's husband Mark is a US Navy veteran.  Thank you both.