Area communities hold observances and parades to honor the intent of Memorial Day; to remember America’s men and women in the military who served and died defending their country.

Here’s a listing of services and parades in the area:

 

*In Hastings on May 27 the Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post 45 Memorial Parade steps off from Boltwood and State streets at 9:30 a.m. marching through the city, down North Broadway to Tyden Park to lay a wreath at the Veterans Memorial, one for all veterans and a MIA and POW wreath, perform a rifle salute and the playing of Taps. At the Thornapple River they will toss a wreath into the water, another rifle salute and playing of Taps.

Riverside Cemetery at the GAR monument at the end of the Avenue of Flags is the last stop where Memorial Day ceremonies will be held. The grave of the most recently buried veteran at the cemetery will receive the final wreath and the final honors of the event. To register to take part in the parade, call Jim Atkinson at 269-948-8219.

  

*Orangeville Township has the honor of having Medal of Honor winner James C. McCloughan as keynote speaker at its Memorial Day Observance on Sunday May 26 at 2 p.m. at the Orangeville Memorial Monument at the township hall.

A native of Southwest Michigan, McCloughan became a Medal of Honor recipient in July 2017 for “gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” in May, 1969 during the Battle of Nui Yon Hill in Vietnam. Then a private first class, McCloughan was a combat medic with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, when the unit air assaulted into an area near the city of Tam Ky in Quang Nam Province. He repeatedly ran through withering gunfire to reach wounded soldiers and pulled at least ten of them to safety, while wounded himself.

The honor roll of deceased Orangeville veterans from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq wars is read at the Orangeville Veteran’s Memorial, along with the laying of wreaths, the Delton High School Band playing patriotic songs and Jesse Morrin playing Taps.

 

*Prairieville Township hosts its Memorial Day parade on May 27 at 1 p.m. starting at the intersection of Norris and Delton roads, traveling north on Pine Lake Road to Prairieville Cemetery when they will hold a memorial service to honor all in the military who sacrificed their lives in the service to their country..

 

 *Vermontville’s parade starts at 9: 30 a.m. at the bridge at North Ionia Road and Nashville Highway, travels through the village to Woodlawn Cemetery. Typically, a group of 45-50 people will gather to hear a memorial presentation, listen to the band play, a pastor’s invocation and watch the gun salute.

 

*The Hickory Corners Memorial Day Parade will be held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, beginning with a pancake breakfast at the Hickory Corners Fire Department from 7 to 9:30 a.m. The parade begins at 10 a.m. sharp at Cadwallader Park, goes east through town to end at the East Hickory Corners Cemetery where there will be memorial services at the East Hickory Corners Cemetery honoring our departed comrades. The guest speaker is Colonel Frank J. Walker (Ret). There will be a flyover by the Hooligans Flight Team, weather permitting. 

The service will be followed by a chicken BBQ at Simmonds-Williams American Legion Post 484 at 3801 West Hickory Road.

The parade, held for more than 60 years and getting bigger every year, features between 125 to 150 participants, the Shriner’s Mini-T’s,  Gull Lake and Delton high school bands, tractors, horses/carriages, fire trucks from several departments, floats, classic cars, Boy/Girl Scout Troops, 4-H members and local children on their decorated bikes. 

 

*Nashville area’s Memorial Day Parade will begin at noon following a short ceremony at the bridge over the Thornapple River, then moving south on Main Street, stopping at the fire station to remember our first responders and ending at Sherman Street.

 

The gathering will then relocate to Lakeview Cemetery for the flag raising and short VFW ceremony. Note that the band will not march to the cemetery.

Everyone is invited to join the parade; walking, riding bikes, motorcycles, ORV's, ATV's or antique cars.  Participants are encouraged to show their patriotism by displaying flags, or something similar, in red, white and blue.

A few volunteers for the rifle squad and color guard are still needed.  If interested call or text 517-852-4435.

 

*Yankee Springs Township will honor veterans with memorial services and speakers Sunday, May 26 at 5 p.m. at the township fire department on Payne Lake Road. Organizers are still looking for veterans who would like to take part. Call 269-838-1289 anytime.

 

*Wayland’s annual VFW parade is on Memorial Day at 11 a.m. to noon, and ending at Post 7581 at 735 South Main Street. The VFW Post again hosts a cookout following the parade. The schedule for veterans who visit area cemeteries to honor the war dead starts at Hooker Cemetery at 8 a.m., Hill Cemetery at 8:20 a.m., Native American Cemetery at 8:50 a.m., Germond Cemetery at 9:15 a.m., Sts. Cyril & Methodias Cemetery at 9:45 a.m. and at Elmwood Cemetery at 10:15 a.m.

 

*Caledonia’s American Legion Post 305 honors veterans at local cemeteries in Alaska at 9 a.m., Blain at 9:45 a.m., Dutton at 10:30 a.m. and Holy Corners at 11:15 a.m.  The parade is May 27, at noon and travels down Main Street to Lakeside Cemetery with a ceremony to honor America’s fallen heroes.

 

 

Photo (top left) U.S. Navy veteran Roberts Buys places a white flower at the veteran’s monument at Mt. Hope Cemetery during the 2018 Middleville Memorial Day ceremony 

 

(left) A Color Guard leads the Middleville Memorial Day parade last year.