Liberty Remembers

We have set aside today to remember and honor our service people. 

Galion, like many towns across our nation, has a traditional parade. Most years, the parade follows this formula: led by a Color Honor Guard comprised of Veterans, followed (not necessarily in this order) by the Galion High School Marching Band, Eaglettes Baton Corps, maybe a few Scout Troupes, city vehicles like police cars and a fire truck. A Person of Honor rides in a fancy car. The parade route is short, leading through town, then along Fairview Avenue to Fairview Cemetery. 

The service at the cemetery usually goes something like this:

At the canon in the cemetery, people gather to hear a speech about our heroes. A wreath is laid. A prayer is said. A lone bugler plays Taps. 

The service ends with a 21 gun salute.

It is traditions like this that help bind a community together. 

And it is art like this that really brings the Cost of Freedom home. The strong visual effect lays indelible mark on people's hearts who are lucky enough to see this massive mural in person. 

Notice the texture behind the main images: those are the faces of service men from Crawford County. It is an amazing work of art and an amazing achievement, that is for sure.

This is a small part of the Liberty Remembers mural. It is one of several murals in our county seat of Bucyrus, Ohio. The murals were  designed and painted by Eric Grohe. You can read about the mural here.

From the website: 

In this mural, Lady Liberty cradles a dying  

soldier in her arms, surrounded by the portraits of 284 veterans

 from Crawford County, Ohio.

The mural was almost completed when the tragedy of 9/11 

occurred. Eric composed the phrase “Her torch still shines, our 

flag still waves,” which he added to the interior arch as a

 memorial to this event. A book was later published featuring all

the veteran submissions for the mural.

I cannot think of a more touching memorial to our Veterans than this wonderful work of art.

Marcheta *remembers