MENTOR, Ohio — Although some of this year's Memorial Day ceremonies and celebrations still went on, many of them looked and felt different.
Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville was a more solemn place on Memorial Day as the usual ceremony was closed to the public in order to promote social distancing. The funeral and remembrance ceremonies that take place every day on the hallowed grounds have also undergone changes.
"If it wasn't for the veterans, we wouldn't be as free as we are," said Charles Dudley, a veteran of the Coast Guard. "It was the sacrifice that they made that makes this country so great. This is their legacy."
The crowds at the national cemetery were much smaller than in prior years. Paul Drennan noticed it right away when he arrived at the cemetery to visit a friend.
"I knew it was going to be different than normal. Usually there are a lot of bikes out here and a big celebration going on," Drennan said. "I'm just out to see my good friend, Mr. Hummel. It's just a good friend that I met through the VFW. We got real close and we lost him a few years ago. I came out to wake him up on the Harley this morning."
In Mentor, the traditional, raucous Memorial Day parade was a smaller ordeal as parade organizers required people to stay in their vehicles.
"We just have to come out. When you're a veteran, you're a veteran for life," said William Mitten, a veteran of the Korean War.
