Photo from 2020 Memorial Day events
COVINGTON, Ky. – Amid the cookouts, the swimming parties, the parades, and the pure pleasure of having an extra day off from work, the impetus for Memorial Day is ever present in the mournful sound of “Taps,” the jarring jolt of a 21-gun salute, and the sobering moments of heads bowed in remembrance of those who died while wearing the cloth of our nation.
This coming Monday, May 30, nine hours will be committed to honoring the military dead as part of Covington’s annual Memorial Day services.
We celebrate because we can, because there were men and women – including many from Covington – who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today, paying the irreversible sacrifice in service to our country. They’re part of The Cov’s collective identity, their stories rippling through our neighborhoods, schools, and places of worship.
“Memorial Day is a day of remembering our soldiers,” said Denny Madden, co-chair and treasurer of the United Veterans Memorial Day Committee. “Because of their sacrifice for our freedoms, we’re able to have parades like this to honor them.”
Monday’s events begin at 7 a.m. with a series of Honor Guard salutes at local military memorial sites. They continue with a parade and end with a service at Historic Linden Grove Cemetery and Arboretum.
The salutes at the sites will include a prayer, a 21-gun salute, the playing of “Taps,” and the placing of a wreath by the combined Honor Guard from the Latonia American Legion Post 203 and the Marshall Schildmeyer VFW Post 6095, Madden said. Those will be in addition to any local community program.
- VFW Post 6095 at 347 E. 47th St. – 7 a.m.
- American Legion Post 203 on Winston Highway – 7:45 a.m.
- Korean War Memorial at Ritte’s Corner – 7:55 a.m.
- Vietnam Memorial at 38th and Church streets – 8:05 a.m.
- World War II Memorial at Holmes High School – 8:30 a.m.
- Mother of God Cemetery at 3125 Madison Ave. – 8:50 a.m.
- Floral Hills Memorial Gardens at 5336 Old Taylor Mill Road – 9:15 a.m.
Floats, vehicles, and marchers will begin lining up at Holmes High School at 12:30 p.m. for the parade. Participants should enter the campus by way of Eastern Avenue, Madden said.
The parade will leave the campus at 2 p.m. and proceed north on Madison Avenue, west onto 19th Street, north on Holman Avenue, and west on 13th Street to the new entrance of Linden Grove Cemetery.
The parade includes City officials, police and fire units, various military contingents and vehicles, a choir and band, ball teams, and fraternal organizations.
The ceremony at Linden Grove is scheduled to begin at about 3:15 p.m.
The keynote speaker will be Felicia Huesman, founder of the Barracks Project, a Covington-based nonprofit. Since 2016, the Barracks Project’s goal has been to help both veterans and active-duty military by providing transitional/temporary housing, one-time emergency financial assistance, food, clothing, and hygiene donations, and by sending care packages to deployed U.S. troops.
The ceremony’s Grand Marshal is U.S. Marine Corps veteran Gary Keegan, and Covington Mayor Joe Meyer also will speak.
"Covington's Memorial Day parade and the ceremonial events of the day are defined by thoughtful reflection and remembrance of Covington's fallen -- the brave men and women of our city who valiantly served this country," Meyer said. "It's vital that we continue to honor their memory so that generations to come know of their sacrifice."
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For further information about the Memorial Day Parade and events, contact Denny Madden at (859) 802-1286 or ddd1688@hotmail.com.
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