A tradition, which dates back more than 150 years, continues to bring veterans and families together in Bluffton. The tradition: decorating the graves of America’s war veterans, known now as Memorial Day.

The members of Bluffton American Legion Post #382  invite Bluffton residents to join in this year's event, Monday, May 30.

A Memorial Day parade will start from the Bluffton town hall. To be in the parade be at the town hall by 9:15 a.m. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. 

The speaker for the memorial ceremony is Rev. John F. Stites, moderator of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Bluffton.

Born in Defiance, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Defiance College, and a Master's of Divinity from the Athenaeum of Ohio. He attended several graduate programs and graduated from the U.S. Army Chaplain School.

Drafted into the US Army in August 1964, he served with the 1st Logistical Command at An Khe, Vietnam, from August 1965 to July 1966. Commissioned a 1st Lt. in 1993, he served as a US Army Chaplain for a brief period.

Stites taught, coached football and wrestling and served as a secondary school administrator for 35 years.

Ordained a priest for the Toledo Catholic Diocese on June 5, 1976, he has served various parishes and schools in the Diocese.  

Following the ceremony the American Legion Post #382 will serve Harlan’s barbecue chicken dinners at the Citizens National Bank Parking lot from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.