AUSTINTOWN — American Legion Post 301 held a brief ceremony in Veterans Park Monday, using the time to emphasize the importance of remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

“To this day, many Americans still do not understand the true meaning of Memorial Day,” said Post 301 Commander Dave Ewing during the ceremony, which was also broadcast by Austintown news outlet Falcon Media. “Memorial Day is a national holiday set aside to honor military service members who died fighting in a war.”

Ewing said more than 1.1 million men and women have died in wartime throughout the nation’s history, a number he described as “staggering.” He said in World War II, more people were killed than the population living in New Orleans.

“These numbers should truly humble us, as they represent those individuals who were husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters or friends,” Ewing said.

Ewing described the origin of Memorial Day, founded in 1868, as “Decoration Day,” a day when graves were decorated with flowers and flags.

Today, he said, the emphasis is on the fallen, not the graves. The focus changed in 1971 when the holiday was changed to Memorial Day.

Ewing extended thanks to all who have served or are serving our country, and to the families who lost a loved one in service.

He stressed the importance of honoring the fallen, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It saddens my heart that our nation would come to a time where we are told we cannot honor these brave men and women, who fought and sacrificed their life for the very freedoms of the ones who are telling us we cannot honor them today,” Ewing said.

About two dozen people attended the ceremony in Wickliffe Circle, including Post 301 members and representatives from Catholic War Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars 4237, Galilee Apostolic Church, the Marine Corps League and Austintown Trustees Steve Kent and Ken Carano, as well as some community members.

Calling Austintown a “veteran’s town,” Carano thanked those who served.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t have the big parade this year, but they still found a way to honor the people who have given their lives, from the Revolutionary War until today,” Carano said.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial, and Post 301 gave a 21-gun salute. Mahoning County Veterans Service Commissioner Tony Revetti played taps on the trumpet.

Post 301 also made an appearance at a noon ceremony hosted by Austintown schools band parents. Student and alumni band members came together to play taps, and Post 301 provided another 21-gun salute.

avugrincic@tribtoday.com