Car parade taking place on Memorial Day

Vehicles will form caravan and drive slowly past American Legion Post 112, where veterans will line side of road

In spite of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Madison residents and members of three military organizations in the community will still get a chance on Memorial Day to honor Americans who have died in the nation’s wars.

However, this year’s Memorial Day activities on May 25 will not involve the traditional programs at all Madison area cemeteries and a large-scale parade in Madison Village, because of health and safety risks posed by COVID-19.

Instead, residents are invited to take part in a vehicle procession during which veterans will stand in front of the Jay Wilson Post 112 of the American Legion.

The car parade will assemble at the Madison High School parking lot on Burns Road, where participants are requested to arrive by no later than 10:40 a.m. From there, vehicles will form a caravan and slowly drive by American Legion Post 112 on Middle Ridge Road at 11 a.m.

“We veterans will line Middle Ridge Road (in front of the post) to thank the public for their support and understanding,” said Mike Evangelista, American Legion Post 112 commander and Madison Community Memorial Day coordinator.

Veterans who are members of three Madisonbased organizations — American Legion Posts 112 and 601, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8548 — all will participate in the lineup that is likely to be greeted with honks, waves and kind words from carparade participants.

After the vehicle procession is completed and a military-plane flyover takes place, veterans from the three posts will conduct a ceremony for members only. This ceremony, to be held at American Legion Post 112, is not open to the general public in order to ensure compliance with Ohio Health Department guidelines for mass gatherings and social distancing.

Traditionally, members of the posts spend the early part of each Memorial Day holding services at all Madison community cemeteries.

“Since we cannot travel cemetery to cemetery, due to safe distancing (regulations), honoring our veterans who are no longer with us, we will honor them at one ceremony,” Evangelista said.

Another regular Memorial Day event that Evangelista typically organizes, but canceled this year because of COVID-19 concerns, is the traditional parade in Madison Village that would start at South Elementary School on East Main Street and conclude at Madison Village Park on West Main Street.

BILL DEBUS - THE NEWS-HERALD At 11a.m. on Memorial Day, May 25, veterans from three Madison-based military organizations will line up in front of Jay Wilson Post 112of the American Legion, pictured here, to observe a car parade in which the general public is invited to participate. Cars will assemble for the procession in the parking lot of Madison High School. Organizers ask that all cars arrive at the school by 10:40 a.m.