Remembrance and Reflection on Memorial Day in Mount Vernon

The City of Mount Vernon’s annual Memorial Day Parade and
Ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 27, with Jack Scott, a U.S. Air Force Veteran,
serving as parade grand marshal.

About 50 participants have signed up to be part of the parade, Mayor Matt Starr said.
“As with every community across the nation, the City of Mount Vernon has made its fair share of
sacrifices throughout its long, 219-year history to help defend this nation,” said Starr. “It’s
altogether fitting and proper that we take a moment – on this May 27, and every Memorial Day – to
honor those ultimate sacrifices that have been made.”

The theme for this year’s event is “We Remember and Honor.”

The parade will start by heading west from the intersection of East High Street and George Street.
It will then turn south, or left, on South Gay Street before turning east (left) onto East Vine Street.
The route continues, making a final turn heading north (left) onto South Park Street, from where it
will head back to East High Street.

NOTE FOR PARADE PARTICIPANTS – The parade will “officially” end at the intersection of East
Vine and South Park streets. Participants can then head back to the staging area or leave the
parade directly.

Remembrance continues at Knox Memorial
The Memorial Day activities will continue with Kevin L. Henthorn, executive director of Knox
County Veterans Services, acting as master of ceremonies from the steps of the Knox Memorial
Building, 112 E. High St.

Retired U.S. Army Chaplain Don Wilson will offer the invocation and benediction. The Pledge of
Allegiance will follow with Wilson Warner (U.S. Army) of the Veterans Service Commission leading
attendees.

Mount Vernon High School student Kale Oswalt will sing the National Anthem, with wreath
placings by the Gold Star Mothers and Knox County Career Center Air Force JROTC to follow.
“And in an addition to this year’s program, we will be paying tribute to our Missing in Action and
Prisoners of War with a ‘Missing Man Table’ and honors ceremony, what is commonly known as
the POW-MIA ceremony,” said Henthorn.

Gary McCutcheon will perform “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. Representatives from AMVETS
Post No. 95 will offer a rifle salute, with a performance of “Taps” by a Mount Vernon High School
trumpeter closing out the ceremony.
PARADE PARTICIPANT INSTRUCTIONS

ALL participants shall arrive at their respective check-in staging areas between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.
▪ All entries (with the exception of equestrian entries; see below), including persons only and
any vehicles, will enter at the intersection of East High Street and Edgewood Road. A
parade team member will check you in there and direct you to your flight leader for staging.
▪ If you have a large group walking who are in a holding area (such as East Elementary
School), the leader can check everyone in at East High and Edgewood while the group is in
the holding area.
Equestrian Entries

• Check in with the parade team member at East High Street and Edgewood Road. From
  there you will proceed to the holding area for horses.
• At the intersection of Edgewood Road and East Chestnut Street, heading west, park your
  vehicles in the grassy, open area ahead and to the right known as Chestnut Boulevard,
  where your flight leader will meet you. Once you have your animals ready, proceed to your
  designated staging area on East High Street. All horses must be in place no later than 10
  a.m.