Honoring those who served

PERKINS TWP. — Sandusky's Memorial Day traditions occurred during the best weather possible Monday morning. Mild temperatures and sunny skies welcomed the Sandusky Memorial Day Association's annual parade and subsequent ceremony at Oakland Cemetery. Speakers and patriotic performances from Sandusky, Perkins and St. Mary Central Catholic's high school bands highlighted the ceremony. One of the speakers, St. Mary Central Catholic High School student Regan Gibson, shared that her views of the federal holiday have changed. "As I read the email from my teacher (about speaking on Memorial Day), I'm ashamed to say that I didn't really understand what Memorial Day was about," she said. "Don't get me wrong — I love my country, family members and friends who have served and protected this country and the people who have given their lives for this country. "But as time goes on, I feel that gratitude settles," Gibson said. "But it should never settle nor stop for the men and women who gave their lives for us. "So to answer 'what does Memorial Day mean to me:' Memorial Day is more than just another day to get together with family and friends to have a nice lunch to kick off the summer," Gibson said. "It's about honoring the brave men and women who fought to keep our country safe and protect it to this day because of their sacrifices." Added VFW #2529 quartermaster Josh Bender: "As barbeques, picnics and other activities take place this day, we must remain ever cognizant of the expensive price tag that comes along with these daily freedoms we enjoy." Sandusky's Memorial Day parade — witnessed by hundreds — marched down Milan Road (U.S. 250), with this year's grand marshal, Thomas "Tom" Cullen, leading the front of the event. Other Memorial Day parade community participants included AMVETS Post #17; American Legion Post #83; Sandusky Elks; OHgo; Salvation Army; Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio; among others. "Tom is a veteran and family man," according to an organizational statement. "Tom and his wife, Gail, have resided in Groton Township, of Erie County, for over 50 years. He is a parishioner of Holy Angels Church and a 1969 graduate of Margaretta High School and a graduate of Terra Technical College. Tom enlisted in the Army in 1969. He served in the Vietnam War between 1970 to 1971. He was in the 82nd Airborne and the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam. In 1990, Tom re-enlisted in the Army National Guard, serving with the 612th Combat Engineers located in Sandusky. He then moved to the Air National Guard, 200th Red Horse Squadron, located in Port Clinton. With the 200th Red Horse Squadron, Tom was deployed for six months to Qatar for Operation Enduring Freedom in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He did many more deployments before retiring in 2011. Tom has been retired from the military for more than 22 years "and is a humble and proud member of the American Legion/VFW Honor Guard," according to the statement. "Tom has seen many foreign countries and the living standards for their people. Tom is proud to be an America, living in the land of the free and home of the brave." _ Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood