ALLIANCE ‒ Nearly 400 Alliance Intermediate School students solemnly marched to the Alliance City Cemetery on May 22 in honor of fallen U.S. military personnel.
The 75th parade — which included teachers and administration — is steeped in tradition, dating to 1950. The parade concluded with Memorial Day services.
“Today, we gather in gratitude and remembrance to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country,” said Principal Jennifer Herdman.
The students were in fourth and fifth grades.
Mayor Andy Grove, Superintendent Rob Gress and several school board members also attended the program. Grove and Gress addressed the students.
Gress said school officials often stress respect, kindness and service in the classroom, and he said one of the best ways for students to honor the fallen is to treat others kindly.
“We’re honoring them when we help our classmates,” he said. “We’re honoring them when we stand up for what’s right. … We honor them when we work hard.”
The late Al Nash started the Memorial Day tradition in 1950
Former band director, the late Alexander “Al” Nash started the school parade for Memorial Day at the old North Lincoln School in 1950. The school was demolished in 2023.
Nash, a World War II veteran, taught music for 35 years for Alliance schools. He retired in 1979. He died in 2010, at age 88. His daughter is Grove’s wife, Sue.
It has been a tradition for 75 years, with the 2020 event canceled due to COVID-19, and moved to the Intermediate School, formerly known as Northside, for the 2002-03 school year. It is a one-mile parade, escorted by police, from the school into the nearby cemetery.
The parade was led by the American Legion Post No. 166 color guard, and taps was played by Alliance High sophomore Gavin Fontaine. A wreath was laid by fifth grader Adalynn Staggers during the ceremony. Retiring health aide Myra Zink led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Grove told the students that Memorial Day honors the “brave men and women” who died so that “we can live in peace and freedom.”
“Even though you are in intermediate school,” Grove said, “you must remember that freedom is a very special gift. Today, we honor them by being grateful, being kind to others and remembering their courage.”
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance City Schools continues Memorial Day tradition with 75th march
Reporting by Benjamin Duer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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