By Stephen Santilli for WV News
GRAFTON, W.Va. (WV News) – With the sun shining brightly, thousands of people lined the parade route in Grafton for the 158th annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday morning. This year’s theme was Memorial Day: Celebrate, Honor, Remember. The parade serves as the official West Virginia Memorial Day Parade and is the culmination of a two-day celebration honoring fallen heroes.
On Sunday morning, the West Virginia Memorial Day Committee held its annual church service at the International Mother’s Day Shrine. Lay Minister David Arnold led the guests during the service, which was hosted by VFW Post 3081.
After the parade ended Monday morning at the original Grafton National Cemetery, a solemn ceremony was held to honor those who gave their lives. Dr. John Stallings, superintendent of Taylor County Schools, served as master of ceremonies. A tolling of the bell to honor the fallen was carried out by the Taylor County Honor Guard.
