GALLIPOLIS — “As we stand together on this day, we are reminded that the cost of freedom is high,” the judge advocate of the Ohio Division of Veterans of Foreign Wars said Monday in the Gallipolis City Park.

“Today we celebrate the contributions of those who served in wartime and in peace,” Merton “Sam” Compton of Springfield said during the annual Memorial Day observation organized by the Gallia County Veterans Service Commission in conjunction with local veterans organizations.

Compton, an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War who has held several national posts with the VFW, reminded the audience gathered near the veterans’ memorials in the park that it is left to us at home to “ensure the purpose for which they fought will be remembered forever.

“Our nation’s fallen were among the most patriotic of patriots,” Compton added. “They cherised freedom and they loved life, but were willing to give their own to preserve life and liberty, We must pay tribute to them and their families.”

“We stand here united and with that, my hope is, as we leave here today, you will have a renewed sense of patriotism and hope, because hope is what keeps us going,” said Compton, a former FBI employee and Springfield police officer slated to become Ohio’s VFW commander in three years.

Activities surrounding the observation began with the annual parade through downtown to the park, with Compton serving as the parade marshal. During the ceremony, the solemnity and appreciation of the sacrifices made by veterans living and deceased were keenly observed.

Master of ceremonies Penny Coon of the Veterans Service Office opened the activities by introducing Cub Scout Pack 214, which led the Pledge of Allegiance, while the South Gallia High School Band and Choir under the direction of Cassandra Thompson played the national anthem. An inovcation was offered by the Rev. Paul Voss of the First Church of God.

Local veterans’ group commanders were introduced, including R. Keith Jeffers on behalf of the VFW, Disabled American Veterans and AMVETS, Scott Darst of American Legion Post 27, Bob McCarley of American Legion Post 161 and Larry Marr of Vietnnam Veterans of America Chapter 709.

Jeffers led the group in a ceremony to remember prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action, while Heather Gallo of the South Gallia choir soloed on the patriotic selection“Just a Dream.” Her fellow choir members sang “Blades of Grass.”

A wreath was placed at the base of the Gallia County Veterans Memorial by Barbara Hill of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 27, and an aerial drop of a wreath in the Ohio River was completed by Denver Wallace in a plane piloted by Gallia County Commissioner David K. Smith.

After a reading of the names of 108 Gallia County veterans and servicemen who died in the past year, the ceremony closed with a benediction from Voss, a gun salute by the county’s Veterans Funeral Detail and a rendition of “Taps” by Heather Gallo.

Also recognized during the ceremony were Veterans Service Commission members Dave McCoy, Gary Fenderbosch, Richard Moore, David McKenzie and Bob Wood, and Veterans Service Office staff Keith Jeffers, Roger Houck, Penny Coon and Timothy Voss.

Ceremonies honoring local service men and women were also held Monday at Pine Street Cemetery by the Cadot-Blessing Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and at Gravel Hill Cemetery in Cheshire.