The City of Toledo, Board of Lucas County Commissioners and Toledo-Lucas County Memorial Day Association invite the public to attend the 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony on Saturday, May 24, in downtown Toledo.
The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the All Wars Memorial, located off Jackson Street on the Civic Center Mall. The keynote address will be delivered by Brigadier General (Ret.) Christopher Dziubek, U.S. Army.
General Dziubek retired on November 1, 2023, after 33 years of service, including 17 years on active duty. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1986 with Bravo Battery, 5/28th Field Artillery in Dayton. In 1989, he was commissioned as a distinguished military graduate through ROTC and began active duty at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he completed Aviation Officer Basic and Rotary Wing training. He later served as both an Aeroscout and Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader with the 1-101st Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and completed the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox.
The program includes a wreath-laying ceremony and a special performance by the nationally recognized Springfield High School Junior ROTC and the Springfield High School Band.
“Memorial Day is a time to honor the heroes who never made it home,” Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said. “Their courage and sacrifice deserve more than a moment of silence— they deserve our lasting gratitude. I’m proud that Toledo continues to come together each year in their memory, and I thank the Toledo-Lucas County Memorial Day Association for ensuring this tribute endures.'
“It is important that we honor all the brave men and women who have served and who are active in the U.S. military. Memorial Day is a day of solemn remembrance for those who died in service to our country,” the Lucas County Commissioners said. “We are fortunate to enjoy the freedoms we have, but we must never forget they came at a great cost.”
“Each of our national military holidays serves a unique purpose,” said Memorial Day Service Chairman Robert Schmitt. “Armed Forces Day honors those currently serving. Veterans Day honors all who have served. But Memorial Day is different—it is dedicated to remembering those who gave their lives in defense of our nation. We urge everyone to reflect on that distinction.”
