Megan Blum, personalized red umbrella in hand, didn’t notice that it rained on her parade.

Monday, May 29, 2000

Megan Blum, personalized red umbrella in hand, didn’t notice that it rained on her parade.

Too busy watching for the clowns, the 5-year-old West Ironton kindergartener sat with eyes glued to the festive scene unfolding on Third Street.

The Ironton High School Million Dollar Marching Band’s rendition of "God Bless America" filled the air and the 132nd annual Memorial Day Parade began.

"I like to watch the parade," she said, huddled for warmth beneath a colorful beach towel. "I was here last year, too, and the year before that. I like the people that are in it."

People, cars and livestock bring the parade to full swing each year.

Although Twister Solace retired last year, a riderless horse still symbolically carried the black drape and backward boots of the fallen soldier. Dee Staley proudly walked beside Twister’s successor, The Bud Light, as the Veterans of Foreign War Post 8850 fired a salute to their fallen comrades.

Ironton’s Memorial Day Parade is not only Ohio’s official Memorial Day parade – nor is it merely the nation’s oldest, continuously running parade.

For Pauline Stephens of Florida, it’s a time to come home.

"I was born out in Lawrence County," she said, seated side-by-side with her sister, Ruth Schneider. "Every Memorial Day I’ve been here, to visit Woodland Cemetery where my husband, my parents and my brother-in-law are buried."

Mrs. Stephens’s husband, Paul, proudly served in WWII, first in the U.S. Air Force and later in the U.S. Army.

Despite the years-long tradition of making the journey home for the parade, next year, that journey will not be made, she said.

Next year, Mrs. Stephens will once again be home – for good.

"I’m moving back in July…coming back home," she said. "I’d never miss a parade, though. It’s nice - the best parade I’ve ever seen."

Her sister couldn’t agree more.

"It’s better than Disney World," Mrs. Schneider said. "You get to see people you haven’t seen in a long time and they have such a good parade."

While watching the big bands, big trucks and funny clowns, Pickerington residents Erica Malone, 8, and her little sister Ashley, 5, waited eagerly for candy to come their way.

"We like the band, and the music," Erica said, her sister nodding happily in agreement.

"The majorettes, too," Ashley added, grinning shyly.

The girls’ father, Tom, finds personal meaning in bringing his daughters to the annual parade.

"I went to Ironton schools. I graduated in 1978," he said, his eyes never leaving the endless line of floats, cars and other attractions. "It’s nice to come home for this. I was in this parade, first with Cub Scouts and later with the band."

It’s not just the fun of the parade that the family focuses on, however, said Joyce Malone. With the girls huddled closely on her lap, Mrs. Malone reminded them gently of the lessons they had already learned at home and at school.

"It’s a tradition and what else?" she asked her daughters. The girls needed no more prompting before they found an answer.

"It’s to honor the people that fought for the country," Erica said somberly.

The parade’s theme, "Long May We Remember," should always be carried out, Mrs. Malone added.

"It’s important for the children to know the meaning behind all of this," she said. "They need to know that it’s more than just fun, that there is a meaning and a purpose to it."