Ray Bishop of Niles places a wreath at the war memorial at Woodland Park in McDonald Sunday during the Memorial Day ceremony.

McDONALD — The memories of 19 servicemen from the village who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms of others were remembered Sunday during McDonald’s Memorial Day ceremony.

More than 50 people, including village officials and veterans, gathered at the war memorial in Woodland Park.

Lt. Col Scott Allen, chief of public affairs for the 910th Airlift Wing at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, was the keynote speaker at the event.

Allen said, “Memorial Day is special day of remembrance. It is a bittersweat day to pause and share our time, stories and memories of America’s military heroes, our fallen soldiers and all who have carried the shield in America’s wars and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.”

He said Memorial Day, which was called Decoration Day when it originated in May 1868, is aimed at honoring all Americans who died in our nation’s wars.

“As a nation, we have fought in many conflicts before and since the Civil War, including the American Revolution, World War I and II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and today’s operations in the Middle East and the Pacific. Over the years, America’s military forces have built a tradition of honorable and faithful service to our nation. We do not forget. Whether it happened an hour ago or over a century ago, we remember all our fallen heroes regardless of how many decades or centuries have passed,” Allen said.

He said those who serve give their all so that others can enjoy freedom.

Allen said it also is important to support all who are serving in the armed forces today.

“It is important for us to try and make the country that so many died for a better place. The men and women who died for our freedom represent the diverse patchwork that is the United States of America. They were sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, and brothers and sisters, from all walks of life. They come from every ethnicity, background and political spectrum. In short, they look like any one of us today,” Allen said.

He said the one common trait for all who serve is they took an oath to die for America when called upon.

“We can ensure that the memories of these heroes and their sacrifices are not in vain. We can ensure that future generations understand the importance of service, sacrifice, duty and honor. We can ensure through our own community service that our country remains strong, free and prosperous,” Allen said.

He encouraged those in attendance to continue the work of those who have gone before us and be dedicated to preserving the memory of fallen heroes.

“Let us reflect on their courage, their sacrifice and their dedication to a cause greater than themselves,” Allen said.

WREATH PLACEMENT

Army veteran Ray Bishop, a McDonald native who now lives in Niles, placed a wreath at the war memorial in memory of the 19 McDonald residents who lost their lives while serving their country.

The names of the deceased were read and flags were placed by their markers by village council members, firefighters and residents.

Bishop, who was the keynote speaker at the 2022 Memorial Day ceremony, said he was honored to be asked to return again for this year’s ceremony to place the wreath at the war memorial.

“It was nice of the village officials to think of me and have me back again this year. I grew up in McDonald. It was my hometown,” he said.

“Today we honor the memory of those who gave their lives in serving our country. May the ceremony today deepen your reverence for those who have died,” village councilman Ray Lewis said. “These men were beloved sons, brothers, and members of families who are with us only in memory today,” Lewis said.

Pastor Don Smith of Woodland Park United Methodist Church said, “We gather today to honor the men and women who so greatly served this country both in the past and in the present. We remember those who selfishly gave of themselves without asking for anything in return.”