Chief Warrant Officer 2 Doug Wickham of Richmond will deliver the keynote address when Richmond marks Memorial Day on May 29. Wickham, a 2001 graduate of Edison High School, will address the audience at Richmond Union Cemetery folloing the parade that begins at 11 a.m. -- Contributed

RICHMOND — “You’ve Got a Friend in Richmond” is the theme of this year’s Memorial Day parade in Richmond which will be held May 29 beginning at 11 a.m.

The parade, which is sponsored by the Richmond Community Historical Society, will form at the former Richmond Elementary School and Hardy Field parking lot area with participants asked to be there by 10:30 a.m. to line up.

The parade will proceed through town, ending at Richmond Union Cemetery with a brief ceremony. Organizations interested to participate in the parade as a marching unit or as part of a float are asked to contact parade co-chairs Wendy Byers at (740) 765-2042 or Donna Corder at (740) 765-5528.

“Please call if your organization will not participate as we need to establish a line-up prior to the morning of the parade,” an informational letter notes.

Because of safety concerns and limited space, parking will no longer be available at Hardy Field where the floats line up. Participants may be dropped off by the Richmond Presbyterian Church. “If you have younger children in your group, please have someone at the top of the hill to direct them to their group,” the letter adds.

Dan and Peggy Vojvodich will serve as the parade’s grand marshals. -- Janice Kiaski

Questions can be directed to either parade co-chair. The Richmond Community Historical Society has a Facebook page offering updates.

The parade will be preceded by the traditional Memorial Day breakfast in the fellowship hall of Richmond Methodist Church, 112 S. Sugar St. Boy Scout Troop 20 will organize the breakfast featuring scrambled eggs, sausage links, pancakes and beverages. Cost is by donation with proceeds benefiting troop projects and needs.

Poppies will be available for a donation during the breakfast and along the Main Street parade route. The fundraiser is a project of the Richmond American Legion Auxiliary.

Members of the Richmond American Legion Post 740, Honored Seven, will lead the Memorial Day parade. J.O. Henry serves as post commander.

The wreath carriers are Cheyenne McElroy, daughter of Ron and Barb McElroy of Richmond, and Addison Larkins, daughter of Ryan and Heather Larkins of Richmond.

Former Richmond resident Jay Hout of Columbus, a 1970 graduate of Jefferson Union High School, will deliver the Gettysburg Address. He is the son of the late Jay W. “Pidge” and Ruth Ann Hout.

Dan and Peggy Bowers Vojvodich of Richmond will serve as parade grand marshals, having been selected by the historical society.

An Army veteran who served from 1962-65, mainly in Germany, Dan was a commander of the Richmond American Legion for 15 years. He retired from American Electric Power with 34 years of service, is a longtime lay speaker in the Methodist church and is involved in the Gideons.

Peggy’s work experience includes the bridal and dress department at Cooper and Kline. An avid horse enthusiast, she has many years of horse training, boarding and lessons to her credit.

The couple are members of Richmond Methodist Church and will celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary on May 20. They have two sons, Darren of Richmond and Danny, who died March 15, 2012. They have four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Doug Wickham of Richmond will be the keynote speaker at Richmond Union Cemetery.

He is the son of Doug and Coleen Wickham of Richmond and is a 2001 graduate of Edison High School. He enlisted in the Army in 2008 as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst. In 2010, he deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. From 2011-13, he served as a Human Intelligence Analyst, providing intelligence support to the U.S Central Command Area of Responsibility.

In 2014, Wickham transitioned to the Army Reserves in Pittsburgh in 2014 and two years later was mobilized to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in support of Operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve and Enduring Freedom. Since 2017, he has served in multiple different intelligence roles and positions throughout the Army Reserves. He is currently set to mobilize to support operations in the U.S. European Command.

Wickham is graduate of multiple military intelligence courses and holds a bachelor’s of science in business management from Excelsior University in Albany, N.Y. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with R-Device, Army Commendation Medal (third award), Army Achievement Medal (second award), Iraqi Campaign Medal (two Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (second award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M-Device, Army Overseas Ribbon (third award) and the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (Bronze).

As a civilian, Wickham works for Federal Law Enforcement at the Department of Justice in Pittsburgh. He is married with two children.