Tribune Editorial Staff

Ironton is on the eve of its biggest day of the year - Memorial Day. For 135 years, the residents of Ironton and Lawrence County have shown their gratitude to military men and women killed during war.

Through the years the parade has changed its format a bit here and there, but the strength, determination and reverence of the people of Ironton have remained a constant.

Despite years of history, Monday's parade and celebration is expected to be among the best yet.

In a time in which many people seem to focus on the negative news and happenings, the parade is something in which to take great pride.

Think about it. The annual parade is something that Ironton does better than any other community in the world. We are home to the oldest continuously running Memorial Day parade.

Now that is something to shout from the hills overlooking U.S. 52. and across the Ohio River into Kentucky and West Virginia. Perhaps, we need to toot our own horns a bit in promoting the parade.

We agree wholeheartedly with Judge Frank McCown who advocates that Ironton should post signs at each entrance to the city. (A column by McCown appears in a special Memorial Day section in today's edition).

The Memorial Day parade is a precious jewel to this community. It isn't controversial. It isn't bad for one's health. It is, in fact, a celebration of what Ironton and Lawrence County is all about: a good, safe place in which to raise a family and instill American values in the next generation.

Too often Ironton is referred to as "once the home of …" And, as anyone who has seen the crowds of people who line up for the parade can attest, Ironton is still home to many great things, including the parade.

Our community needs to be known for what's still here, not what once was. While not forgetting the past, keeping an eye on the future will greatly help in bringing new economic prospects into our area and keeping the wonderful tradition of the parade alive for decades to come.