Roseville Hosts Annual Memorial Day Parade

ROSEVILLE, Ohio – The Memorial Day parade has been a tradition in Roseville for years. Col. Paul Pride grew up in Roseville and remembers riding in the parade with his youth-baseball team. Monday, he returned to his hometown as the Superintendent of the Ohio Highway Patrol to speak to the crowd about the importance of remembrance of those who have gave it all.

The parade kicked off at 11 a.m. and featured members of the American Legion, local baseball teams, the Roseville Fire department, the Crooksville Police Department, and the Philo Marching Band. Following the parade, Col. Pride took the podium and spoke about small town America and the dedication of veterans.

“The most important thing is the sacrifice of the men and women down through the ages,” said Col. Pride, who served in the Marines from 1979-1985. “Looking at almost a million of our veterans that have died in the line of duty in combat. They are responsible for small town America. That’s what we really are. Small town America is just people that had an opportunity to grow up and live a life of freedom.”

The parade is a yearly event put on by the American Legion Post 71 in Roseville. Dave Carroll, who was elected mayor of Roseville in January, said this is one of the village’s most anticipated events each year. Like Col. Pride, Mayor Carroll served in the military as well and spoke about what Memorial Day means to him.

“Memorial Day means sacrifice, that’s the one big word,” said Mayor Carroll. “Sacrifices made by all those that have come before us since the founding of our great country. Sacrifices that are continuing to be made by the men and women that are serving in our armed forces all around the world. If not for them, we might not be having what we have today.”

The American Legion Post 71 said they are already planning next year’s Memorial Day service.