A flag-draped casket is pulled by horses during the Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108 Veterans Day parade Monday in Marietta. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

MARIETTA — Crowds lined the streets of downtown Marietta, with many waving American flags, to watch the Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108 Veterans Day Parade and later to honor veterans during a ceremony outside the Marietta Armory.

The parade began at 10 a.m. at North Hart and Fourth streets, traveled down Putnam Street and ended at Front Street in front of the Marietta Armory. It consisted of several floats and participants including the Washington County Fire Department, the Marietta Police Department, the Marietta High School Marching Band and Color Guard, the Marietta High School Marching Band and Color Guard Fort Frye, various local veterans organizations and more, all decked out in red, white and blue and many carried American flags.

Belpré resident Darian Pevarski brought her children, Lucas Pevarski, 3, and Hazel Pevarski, 5, to Marietta Monday morning to enjoy the parade.

She said she bought her kids because they like to watch everything and “the candy of course.” She said another reason they came is because her children’s grandfather is an Army veteran.

After the parade concluded, a ceremony sponsored by VFW Post 5108 was held on the lawn of the Marietta Armory, with VFW Post 5108 Commander Gene Venham serving as master of ceremonies.

Belpre residents Lucas Pevarski, 3, left, and Hazel Pevarski, 5, center, catch candy that was tossed during the Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108 Veterans Day parade, while their mother Darian Pevarski, right, looks on Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

Several local government officials spoke at the ceremony, including Marietta Mayor Joshua Schclicher.

“Hello everyone on this beautiful Veterans Day 2024” » said Schlicher.

He thanked everyone for coming and told them to enjoy their day.

Washington County Commissioner and soon-to-be state senator Kevin Ritter also spoke.

“What a great day to celebrate our veterans and appreciate their sacrifice. » » Ritter said.

Members of the Marietta Elks Lodge #477 carry flags in the Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108 Veterans Day parade Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

He told the story of visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery during a snowstorm and seeing the changing of the guards.

“When the changing of the guard was happening, even though they were only 30 feet or so away, it was very, very difficult to see them in the driving snow and I thought, ‘Any country that organize this kind of ceremony in this weather and at this time.’ of the year to honor its veterans is a great country, “ » Ritter said. “That’s what Veterans Day is all about.”

He thanked the veterans for their sacrifice.

Commissioner Charlie Schilling also spoke.

“As we come together, one of the things I want to make sure we understand is the sacrifice that all of our veterans have made,” Schilling said. “The selfless acts of all our veterans. I want to make sure we understand the freedoms we enjoy through our veterans.

Former company commander of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army Capt. Jim Waybright speaks during a Veterans Day ceremony in front of the Marietta Armory Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

He said those freedoms are the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and more veterans are the cornerstone of our country. He also said he appreciates everything veterans do.

Commissioner James Booth also spoke.

Booth said he joined the U.S. Army at age 18 and it gave him a great sense of determination and brotherhood.

“Now passing that on to younger generations… It’s now the right thing to do to be patriotic.” And for that, Washington County is doing things well,” he said.

He also said all veterans are valued in Washington County and he thanked the county for its patriotism.

A Marine Corps Veterans Association float that participated in the Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108 Veterans Day parade Monday sits in the Marietta Armory parking lot after the parade. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

During the ceremony, representatives from the county’s veteran service organizations stood, introduced themselves and spoke about their organizations.

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was former Company Commander of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army, Captain Jim Waybright.

Waybright served in Cambodia and Vietnam, he said. He thanked people for coming to the ceremony and said it really made the veterans feel appreciated.

“The idea of ​​Veterans Day is something our country should be proud of,” » said Waybright. “For decades we have shown our gratitude to those who have returned. »

Waybright turned the attention to those who served and died doing so. He listed the names of several people in his battalion who died in service.

Members of the Marietta High School Color Guard participate in the Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108 Veterans Day Parade Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

“These men made the ultimate sacrifice” he said. “We can’t thank them enough.”

Michelle Dillon can be reached at [email protected]

The Fort Frye High School Marching Band participated in the Ronnie W. David Memorial Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 5108 Veterans Day Parade on Monday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)