Memorial Day parades, services planned throughout county
The Sturgis American Legion will hold a parade and ceremony to celebrate Memorial Day.
At 10 a.m. Monday, the parade will begin at the VFW Post on Chicago Road. All veterans are encouraged to join the parade and for those who prefer not to walk, transportation will be provided.
Following the parade, around 11 a.m., there will be a ceremony at Oaklawn Park, where Dave Webb will do a roll call for those recently departed and a roll call for those departed in the wars. Also at 11 a.m., at American Legion will be free lunch for all veterans, not just members.
Other Memorial Day events taking place in the area include:
Burr Oak: Burr Oak is holding a service on Memorial Day at the Main Burr Oak cemetery around 1 p.m. Speaker will be Mike Wilson, executive director of VFW National Home for Children. Rev. Kuhlman, of Burr Oak St. John's Lutheran Church, will give the benediction and invocation for the service. Colon and Bronson American Legion will run the color guard at the servicel. Burr Oak will also have a music presentation by Sam Stone from Sturgis.
Bronson: Bronson will have a brief service at the Bronson Cemetery at 10 a.m. The service will start with a prayer then they will raise the flag followed by a three-volley salute and Taps. To conclude the service, they will end in prayer.
Centreville: Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. and takes off from Adams Park at 9:30 a.m. The parade will make its way down Jane Street. Kids are welcome to ride their bikes in the parade, but at the back. Along with that if any veterans want to participate in the parade, but have a disability preventing them from walking the whole parade, they may call Jim Shears, (269) 467-7720, and he will be able to help those veterans through the parade.
Colon: Colon American Legion will hold a parade that begins at the elementary school at 9 a.m. It pauses at the bridge in the village, where a wreath is laid on the water to honor those lost at sea and then continues to the middle of the village. At 10 a.m., there will be a program at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon. Keynote speaker is Col. Shawn Holtz, Commander of the 110th Wing, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base and Colon High School alumnus.
Constantine: Constantine will hold a parade at 10 a.m. starting at the bridge. From there the parade will make its way to the cemetery where there will be a guest speaker.
Howe, Ind.: Howe Lions Club will host Memorial Day services at 9 a.m. Monday. The service will be held at the Riverside Cemetery on South 3rd Street. Sen. Susan Glick is speaker, with the Rev. David Evans, of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, and the Rev. David Hughs, of Lima Presbyterian Church, giving invocations. Attendees are asked to bring chairs.
Mendon: Mendon will have a parade beginning at noon on Main Street. After the parade concludes, "The Star Spangled Banner," Taps and a 21-gun salute will take place at the Catholic cemetery.
White Pigeon: White Pigeon with not host an event, but they will place flags on headstones for those who would like one. Community members may call the township and let them know to place a flag on a headstone.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: News
