ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Archbold, Ridgeville Corners Legion Posts Prepare Memorial Day Plans




The Archbold and Ridgeville Corners posts of the American Legion have prepared plans for Memorial Day services.

Memorial Day is Monday, May 31.

Because the Pettisville post of the American Legion closed in 2009, legion members from Archbold, which includes former members of Pettisville, will present a Memorial Day program in Pettisville.

Members of the Buehrer Lauber-Weckesser Post 311 will hold the Archbold program at the Archbold Knights of Columbus Rebeau Hall. The program starts at 9:30 am.

Paul Lovejoy, chaplain of Post 311, will give the invocation.

Lenny Miller, Jr., post commander, will be the speaker.

A 1967 Archbold High School graduate, Miller served four years in the United States Marine Corps before being honorably discharged in 1972.

He spent a year in Washington, D.C., at the Marine barracks at Eighth and I streets, known as “The Post Of The Corps.”

Miller studied behavioral science and law enforcement at University of Toledo, graduating in 1976. He then went to work for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, eventually becoming the manager of Independence Dam State Park, near Defiance. He retired from ODNR in 2001 after 24 years.

Miller is a member of the Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Marine Corps League, Knights of Columbus, Fulton County Sportsmen Club, and the Varsity T Club.

He has two daughters, Kathryn and Margaret. He makes his home in Archbold.

Following the program, Archbold Boy Scouts, Troop 63, will serve breakfast.

Pettisville

The Archbold post members will stage a traditional Memorial Day service in Pettisville, including a parade with the Pettisville school band featuring children riding decorated bicycles, tricycles, and wagons.

The parade forms at the Pettisville Park at 10:55 am, then begins its march to the Pettisville cemetery at 11:15 am.

Kurt Rychener, legion member, will give the invocation. Jacob Nafziger, a Pettisville sixth grader, will read the poem, “In Flanders Field.”

Miller will speak at the event.

Following the firing of three volleys and the playing of Taps, the program moves to the Lutheran cemetery for a brief ceremony before returning to the park.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be held at the Pettisville School at 11:15 am.

Ridgeville Corners

Ted Ripke, commander of Ward L. Adams American Legion Post 454, Ridgeville Corners, said its Memorial Day program will start at 10:30 am at the Legion Hall.

The children of Ridgeville Township will perform their annual flag drill, followed by performances of the Ridgeville Community Choir and the Archbold High School band.

The speaker at this year’s event is Michael Giese, an Army Chaplain.

Giese served a tour in Iraq.

He is presently a lieutenant in the Army Reserve.

At 11:45 am, F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 180th Ohio Air National Guard, Toledo, will conduct a flyover.

A potluck follows the program.


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