By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Boy Scout Ean Showman of Troop 71 places a flower on the grave of a veteran at the start of last year’s Memorial Day ceremony. There are more than 140 veterans buried in the Groveport Cemetery.
Memorial Day in Groveport will be different this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A ceremony following social distancing and crowd limit requirements will be held on May 25 at 1:30 p.m. in the Groveport Cemetery, but the traditional parade will not take place this year.
“The Memorial Day recognition will be very brief. It will be a very scaled back version of the normal ceremony,” said Groveport City Administrator B.J. King. “We will video record it and share it on our social media sites for the public to watch. The event will include no more than 10 people. We do not encourage the public to attend. Social distancing and other COVID-19 safety requirements will be enforced.”
The plans and decisions regarding this year’s Memorial Day ceremony were arrived at following a meeting between Mayor Lance Westcamp, American Legion Commander Brad Beatty, Motts Military Museum Director Warren Motts, and City Administrator B.J. King.
This year’s Memorial Day ceremony in the Groveport Cemetery will include:
•Opening remarks by American Legion Commander Brad Beatty;
•A prayer lead by the American Legion chaplain;
•The playing of the “National Anthem” and the reciting of the “Pledge of Allegiance;”
•Mayor Lance Westcamp will recognize veterans who will have banners hung along Main Street in their honor;
•Comments by Motts Military Museum Director Warren Motts; and
•The playing of “Taps.”
The Groveport Cemetery is located on Wirt Road in Groveport near Heritage Park.
Groveport American Legion Post 486 is named after local resident, Private Robert Dutro, who in 1917 at the age of 15 joined the 6th Marine Regiment during World War I. He would later die in France on July 19, 1918 during the Aisne-Marne offensive. The Post was established in 1924. It can be followed on Facebook @ groveportamerican legion.
