By FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

Wayne Pollard, a United States Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Drayton during World War II will be the Grand Marshal of the Memorial Day parade Monday, May 25 in Portsmouth.

The USS Drayton was a 1,500-ton Mahan class destroyer commissioned in 1936, visited Europe, and then was sent to the Pacific in 1937.

Pollard, now 91, served aboard the USS Drayton after being sworn into the Navy in 1944.

The day’s festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with KIA-MIA services in Tracy Park, which will feature a firing squad and taps.

That event is chaired by Gene Davis, U.S. Army (retired).

At 10 a.m. the grand procession will leave Tracy Park en route to Greenlawn Cemetery.

The parade route will be south on Chillicothe Street, West on Gallia Street, and north on Offnere street.

Vice-President of the 2009 Memorial Day committee, James Saddler said all sirens, horns, radios and noise makers will be silenced at the base of Offnere Street.

The Gold Star Mothers will be escorted by Chief Petty Officer Jeanette Sammons of the United States Naval Reserve and Chief Petty Officer David Holt USNR (retired).

Honor Division Security will be provided by Portsmouth Police Chief Charles Horner and Portsmouth Fire Chief Bill Raison.

A military fly-over will be conducted by the 180 Fighter Squadron, Ohio Air National Guard.

Memorial Day services will be held at Soldier’s Circle, Greenlawn Cemetery, with featured speaker

Rep. Todd Book, D-McDermott (89th District).

A floral tribute will be performed by June Meade and the Ladies of the Circle.

After a 21-gun salute the Florence Williams Salon #86 8/40 will conduct a short service at the World War I graves. Darlene Adams will be in charge of the event.

At 3 p.m. at the monument at the Court Street Landing on the Ohio River there will be a short service for all veterans who lost their life at sea.

A wreath will be placed in the water from a boat. Sam McKibben, UNR (retired) will be the master of ceremonies.

In South Webster Bloom Township a Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at South Webster High School, followed by a ceremony at the Gazebo. A lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the South Webster Bloom Township Fire Station.

Medal of Honor recipient Ernie West will be the guest speaker at the Memorial Day parade and program on Saturday, May 23 in Wheelersburg.

The parade line-up will be at 10 a.m. at the Wheelersburg Kroger’s. The parade will start at 11 a.m. and will travel down Ohio River Road to Duis Avenue, turning onto Gallia Pike and ending at the Porter Township community park where a memorial program will begin at noon.

There will be a Memorial Day service Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Greenup County War Memorial.

There will be a wreath laying, singing, and a 21-gun salute.

Lt. Col. Vance Huston, U.S. Marine Corps (retired) will be the featured speaker.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.