105 Years Ago, 1921 transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

“Many march to Oak Hill. Veterans visit the graves of the dead – Cooper speaks to G. A. R.”

“At 3:30 p. m. Monday one of the longest parades in the history of Memorial Day celebrations got under way, on its march to Oak Hill cemetery where the veterans of ’61, ’98 and ’17 took part in doing honor and reverence to the nation’s dead. Previous to this parade, at 1:30 in G. A. R. headquarters, Hon. John G. Cooper made an inspiring address to the Civil War veterans, recalling the events of the wars in our history and concluding with an eloquent appeal for proper observance of the day.

“The parade involved a large representation of the G. A. R. who rode in automobiles, a good sized number of veterans of the Spanish War and many of our youngest ex-soldiers, the veterans of the Argonne and St. Mihiel.

“It was headed by a squad of mounted policemen who were followed by the Grand Army band. City officials, including the mayor and many councilmen, were in the line also. In addition there was a good number of representatives of the various auxiliary organizations, including the Women’s auxiliary of the American Legion, Canteen workers, Red Cross nurses, Y. M. C. A. workers, Knights of Columbus, Nurses and Salvation Army workers.

“The line of march was as follows: north on Market St. to Federal; west on Federal to Spring Common; west on Mahoning to Oak Hill; south on Oak Hill to the northeast gate of the cemetery; through the cemetery to the southeast gate; south on Oak Hill to Ridge; east on Ridge to Market; and north on Market to the court house.

“The line stopped on the Market St. bridge to fire a salute to the sailor dead of the country.

“The exercises in the Oak Hill cemetery included, as usual the firing of salutes over the graves of the departed soldiers.

“Besides the organizations of veterans in the line of the parade there were other representatives of civic organizations.

“A large assemblage of citizens gathered at the cemetery to witness the ceremonies.

“Congressman John G. Cooper in his address at the Tod post exercises, said that the great increase since the Civil War in the cost of government could be attributed directly to war, and declared that if the great burden of war is permitted to hang over the world as at present it will destroy civilization.

“Mr. Cooper said that present European conditions made it necessary for the United States to be prepared, but added that no country is in a better position than America to start a movement for world peace.

“‘Let us disarm,’ he said in developing this idea.

“Mr. Cooper paid an eloquent tribute to the men of the G. A. R.”

— Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.