Boardman Township police officer Paul Poulos has been named grand marshal and featured speaker for the 113th annual Memorial Day parade and services set for Mon., May 29.
      Ptl. Poulos, who serves as a Resource Officer at Boardman Local Schools, joined the ranks of the Boardman Police Department in June, 2009, and became a resource officer on Aug. 29, 2014.
      He is a ten year veteran of the United States Army (1998-2008) and served two tours of duty in Iraq, where he earned a bronze star for brave and meritorious action in a combat zone.
      In Nov., 2006, then Staff Sgt. Poulos and his troops established an outpost where a nearby Bradley tank had been disabled by an improvised explosive device (IED). The tank and its soldiers could have been captured, or killed by the enemy when Poulos called for support that allowed their rescue.
      During his first tour of duty in Iraq (2204-05), two members of his platoon were killed during a fight with enemy troops.
      He has acknowledged he too could have died during the fight and probably should have died.
      As a result, he now views life as a precious gift, not to be taken for granted.
      In addition to the bronze star, Officer Poulos received the Army Commendation Medal and five Army Achievement Awards and three Conduct Awards for his service to his country.
      The owner of five dogs, Officer Poulos also services as president of the Paw Platoon Dog rescue.
      The annual Memorial Day Parade will get underway at 10:00 a.m. at Center Intermediate School, ending at Boardman Park, where Officer Poulos will be the main speaker. William Waino will give the invocation and LTC Bill Moss, USAF ret., will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and place a wreath at the Veteran’s Memorial in honors of deceased service members. The Boardman High School National Honor Society will also place a wreath at the memorial, in honor of current military personnel. Mark Luke will serve as master of ceremonies.
      Groups and community organization who wish to participate in the parade can contact Stephanie Landers, coordinator of the Memorial Day activities, at 330-565-2543
      The annual Memorial Day parade and services are led by the Kiwanis Club of Boardman.