World War II veteran Silverio Gonzalez did not seem to mind he was the only service
member aboard the Veterans of Foreign Wars float in Monday’s Memorial Day Parade
in Bowling Green.
Gonzalez was unwavering as he swayed his American flag, waving to those lined along
the parade route with a smile from ear-to-ear.
One family, who had setup chairs at the entrance to Oak Grove Cemetery, greeted the
veteran with a loud "thank you."
Gonzalez was one of many veterans who participated in the city’s annual Memorial Day
parade and services.
The tribute to those who have sacrificed for our country began with a parade
featuring veterans, color guards, the 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Boy Scout
and Girl Scout troops, and the Bowling Green High School band.
They marched down Main Street and turned onto Court Street making a stop at the Wood
County Courthouse. There, officials placed wreaths on each of the war memorials,
which was followed by a gunfire salute from the volunteer infantry. The volley
caused the peregrine falcons living in the courthouse tower to soar from their
nest.
The parade route continued through campus and ended at the mound in Oak Grove
Cemetery.
Wood County Commissioner Tim Brown, who was born on an Air Force base in Nebraska,
served as speaker for the ceremony.

"I have a deep appreciation for him (his father) and all those who have answered
the call to serve our country," Brown told the crowd gathered at Oak Grove.

It is these people who serve our country, Brown said, who protect our freedom and
ability to continue as a democratic nation. As a democratic nation, we are
guaranteed constitutional rights, among them the right to debate and petition
the government.
"We know not what issues will be debated in 100 years, but thanks to you and
those who have followed you in uniform, rest assure, the people of America will
get to debate those issues."
Such a freedom, Brown said, does not come without a price.
Sometimes the price tag is separation of loved ones, other times is it disability or
injury.
"And, in too many instances the ultimate sacrifice – the loss of life,"
Brown said.
From the very beginning of the country’s existence citizens have given their lives to
protect our freedoms.
Colonists raised muskets against the British; brothers fought against one another in
the Civil War which nearly ripped the country in half; and soldiers took up arms
to stop the spread of communism in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
And then, on Sept. 11, 2001, the country began fighting a whole new war – against
terrorism.
"Our freedom is not free. It has been challenged since the beginning of our
republic and even yet as we stand here, another plot is being formed,"
Brown said.
The ceremony concluded with a gunfire salute by the volunteer infantry and
"Taps" played by two BGHS trumpeters.