BELLAIRE — The village of Bellaire observed Memorial Day at Union Square Park.

U.S. Navy veteran John “Dixie” Purtiman, a member of American Legion Post 52 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 117, organized the ceremony. When speaking about putting the event together each year, he joked that he thinks he inherited the responsibility a number of years ago but isn’t sure how it happened.

“When you have good help, it’s easy, because all you have to do is call and the things fall in line,” Purtiman said.

He added that sometimes he doesn’t even have to make a call — the community steps up and shares responsibility and supports its veterans.

As he was saying that, a convoy of Grim Reapers Motorcycle Club members arrived at the ceremony to show their support.

“I don’t even have to ask them about this and they come and support,” he said.

In addition to the Grim Reapers and Bellaire residents, Shadyside resident Paul Smathers attended the ceremony to show his support by carrying a large American flag. Before arriving at the event, Smathers did a 42.2-minute walk in memory of those left behind in Desert Storm.

He said that each second of the walk was to honor each man and woman that was lost.

The walk began at the Gazebo at Union Square Park, stretching to 32 Guernsey Street and back.

Smathers said this is the fifth year he’s done the walk. He used to do it in Wheeling but decided to move it to Bellaire this year since he’s a Belmont County resident.

The main speaker at the ceremony was U.S. Army veteran and former Bellaire police chief Bob Wallace. He began by offering his appreciation to all veterans in attendance. He then spoke about how it is crucial for younger generations of veterans to join American Legions, VFWs and other veteran organizations to ensure the groups’ futures.

“We’re having a bit of a crisis with membership because the age of most of the people, particularly here in attendance, is getting older and older. We need more people to fill those spots. We need more people to provide services like this and other support in their efforts for the community. So we welcome all the veterans who are eligible to join one of these organizations or other similar ones, and for those that may not be technically eligible, we have auxiliaries. We ask for you to consider being part of that effort so that we can continue to give back to the communities that have done so much for us,” Wallace said.

Purtiman later echoed Wallace’s statement.

“It’s very important to try to get the young people out and get involved, because the way the Earth is, things are going now, it’s tough, because you watch TV, you hear this side or that side, and it’s a hassle,” Purtiman later said.

Wallace closed his speech by talking about the Revolutionary War and reminding the residents in attendance of the sacrifices it takes to be free.

He said the veterans at that time made the sacrifice for this country to have freedom, and every veteran after has made the sacrifice for this country to keep its freedom.

“As most of you know, one of our most cherished things in our Constitution is the right to bear arms. But in England to subjugate us, they chose to take our shot powder and muskets. And 250 years ago, just last month, April 18, they marched out of Boston for the 16 miles to Lexington and then on to Concord to confiscate the powder and musket balls, which could be used against them. But see, the colonists were aware of what was going on. They had intelligence. They knew that the British Redcoats were going to march against them. I’m sure that you’ve heard the term about the lanterns hung in the Old North Church, and it was one by land, two by sea and waiting and ready.

“There were two patriots, two members of the Sons of Liberty, two riders, Paul Revere and Samuel Prescott, and one took off on horseback, and the other crossed the Charles River to spread the word to those people who had pledged to be ready on a moment’s notice. These were the so-called Minutemen of the American Revolution, and the Redcoats marched all night, the 16 miles, which is like from Bellaire down to Powhatan Point. They marched all night and at daybreak they met in Lexington. And the militia stood there, eyeball to eyeball, and a shot was fired, and when the smoke had cleared, one British dead and eight American patriots died. Eight patriots, the first die so that we can be here today,” Wallace said.