POLAND — As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, it’s vital that those who fought to preserve the freedoms for which it stands receive more than a mere wave in a parade, a local author contended.

“This is a call to action once and for all to bridge the gap between the military and civilian worlds, and to give our guardians a future,” Chrisanne Gordon said Saturday. “It’s really a wake-up call for the civilian world to do more than applaud our veterans.”

Gordon was referring to a main premise in her newly-released book, “Guarding our Guardians,” which came out May 10.

The impetus for the book germinated 30 years ago when she suffered a head injury in 1996. Even though Gordon never served in the Armed Forces, that experience allowed her to better understand — and empathize with — the types of trauma many soldiers and veterans have dealt with after experiencing combat, she said.

In addition, the release of Gordon’s book aligned with the many local and national events honoring the nation’s 250th birthday, which also was the primary theme of the annual Celebrate Poland gathering Friday and Saturday at Poland Town Hall.

In her book, Gordon often refers to veterans as “guardians” largely because when many of them return to civilian life, they work as police officers, firefighters and other first responders, she said. It’s critical that assistance is readily available to aid other veterans who served the nation find jobs, receive any needed education and have healthcare coverage, Gordon noted, adding that some of them hold the view that other comrades are more deserving or in need of help than they are.

Also, proceeds from her book will benefit the Dublin, Ohio-based Resurrecting Lives Foundation, a national nonprofit organization committed to increasing awareness of the consequences associated with untreated brain injuries while advocating for services and resources for preventing suicides among veterans. RLF also works to assist veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, its website states.

Of course, no Celebrate Poland family-friendly gathering would be complete without a pet costume contest.

“He’s a sweet, kind, gentle boy,” Emma Komlanc of Poland said, referring to Jax, the family’s 13-year-old golden retriever, and one of the contestants.”I’ve never been mad at him one time in my life.”

Jax came from an Austintown breeder when he was a puppy, and he was decked out in a patriotic red,white and blue harness for the contest, complemented with a headband of stars bearing the same colors.

Julie Wolfe’s dog, Zoe, may have been a rookie to the popular contest, but the animal was not shy about displaying a few tricks, such as standing and rotating on cue.

“I got her on Feb. 22 and her birthday is Feb. 2,” Wolfe, of Poland, said about her 2-year-old Boston terrier she picked up from Animal Charity Humane Society.

Wolfe also wore a small necklace bearing the likeness of Troubles, a Jack Russell terrier she lost a few years ago. The dog also was in pet contests and one day, Troubles was awarded a plaque, she recalled.

Upon entering Saturday, it was difficult to miss the many chalk drawings on square sections of sidewalk. One of them was courtesy of Kristina Sinegal of Poland, who created her colorful version of Woody and Forky, two main characters from the popular animated film “Toy Story.”

“I figured I’d make a lot of kids happy, so I decided to do something with that theme,” she said.

But more important, perhaps, than the chalk impressions was the impression Celebrate Poland left on others, Sinegal observed.

“I love the whole event. It brings everyone in the community out,” she said.

A variety of tents and vendors filled the grounds, including Window World, the Poland Schools Foundation, Edison Landscape & Deck Lighting, Studio Oxygen, the Poland Women’s Club, New Life Church, Mosquito & Tick Blockers and Dar’s Art & Decor. In addition, free health screenings were available.

Also represented was Save our Library, a growing grassroots citizens group that is working to keep the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County at its current South Main Street location. Members are staunchly opposed to plans to build a new facility near state Route 170 and Denver Drive in the township.

“It’s a symbol of the heart of Poland,” Susan Yerian, a Save our Library member, said, adding, “The bottom line is that people want it here.”

The current branch, which was built in 2001, has not been properly maintained over the years, though it would still be more cost-effective to make necessary repairs on the structure than to construct a new building, which also has a variety of hidden expenses, Yerian explained.

The group’s plans surely do not include inactivity or inertness. Members intend to continue speaking at public meetings and forums as well as passing out flyers and collecting signatures, she said, adding that most elected officials support the group’s efforts.

“We’re not going to give up,” Yerian added.

Save our Library also had a prominent place in Friday’s parade along South Main Street that was part of Celebrate Poland.

The event’s activities and festivities also included a strawberry festival, miniature golf, a fireman’s parade, a petting zoo, Kid’s World Open, pony rides, the Great Poland Bake-Off, a Poland Historical Society art show, American Legion Post 15’s Chair-ity Auction and basket raffles. The festivities concluded with a fireworks show Saturday evening.