COVINGTON, Ky. — Nine hours of activity on Monday honored fallen veterans as part of Covington’s annual Memorial Day services.
The tone was less celebration and more sobering reflection.
The day kicked off at 7 a.m. with a series of Honor Guard salutes at local military memorial sites, continued with a parade, and ended with the City’s 100th Memorial Day Service at Historic Linden Grove Cemetery and Arboretum.
Men and women from Northern Kentucky have fought valiantly in the nation’s wars over the years. On Memorial Day, veterans and civilians joined in honoring them, lining up at Holmes High School ahead of Covington's annual parade.
“It's actually awesome to witness all this. All the support we still have for veterans with everything going on in America today. It means the world to me, because I’ve lost a buddy overseas, and just to witness everybody who’s been through war, the camaraderie we have between us soldiers, it just means a lot,” said John Walters, who serves in the Army National Guard.
Younger veterans like Walters exchanged stories with older ones, remembering those who never made it back home.
“Yeah, it’s very special. I got to meet a lot of these guys today actually for the first time, and they’ve been through a lot,” Walters said.
Veteran Joseph Willen, 72, certainly falls into that group. Willen did two tours in Vietnam and spent 20 years in the military. He makes a point to make it to the parade every year.
“Just proud to come back to this country. Did my tour they asked me to do, and came back. One of the fortunate ones that made it back,” Willen said.
Even those who haven’t served themselves recognized the importance in reminding people that Memorial Day is so much more than just a day off of work.
Douglas Enlow is a member of VFW Post 6095. He also shows up to every parade.
“It means a lot to me because my dad served in Vietnam. And I do it to support him, because he needs the support, and all the veterans, they need the support too. This is a day to remember them. It’s not about a barbecue or a grill out or nothing like that,” he said.
Just having the ability to come together and honor the country’s heroes is something Walters said he doesn’t take for granted.
“It’s all about freedom,” he said. “My kids get to look up to something, so I enjoy that.”
The parade ended with a ceremony at Linden Grove, with a keynote speaker being Capt. Justin Gilliam of the Kentucky Army National Guard.
Other ceremonies included:
- Korean War Memorial at Ritte’s Corner.
- Vietnam War Memorial at 38th & Decoursey
- World War II Memorial at Holmes High School.
- Mother of God Cemetery at 3125 Madison Ave.
- Floral Hills Memorial Gardens at 5336 Old Taylor Mill Road.