Daily Press file photo
The Delta County Veterans Council conducts Memorial Day services at the Delta County Veterans Memorial in Ludington Park in this file photo. Communities throughout the area are planning Memorial Day celebrations and observances this weekend.
Memorial Day cerebrations and ceremonies are planned throughout the area this holiday weekend. They include:
RAPID RIVER
The Rapid River Memorial Day celebration parade theme this year is celebrating 50 years honoring our veterans “God bless them all now and always”
Parade lineup is at noon in front of the Omni Center on North Main Street. There will be prizes for floats. The parade begins at 1 p.m. South Main Street activities include flag raising at noon, queen crowning at 12:15 p.m., grand marshal selection at 12:45 p.m., and kickball tournament at 2 p.m. The beer garden will be open from 2 to 5 p.m.
Activities in the township park for the day include Abracadabra jumps, raffle tickets, kids sight mobile, splat-u-later, petting zoo and a variety of food and beverage vendors. There will be a karaoke contest from 2 to 4 p.m.
The 2nd Annual Amateur Backyard Barbecue Cook-Off starts at 2 p.m. along with Music by Angels in the Outlaws.
Walter W. Cole Post 301 Rapid River will be presenting Memorial Day ceremonies at the following cemeteries: Ogontz – 8 a.m., Isabelle/Moss Lake – 8:40 a.m., Nahma/Vet Memorial – 9:10 a.m., Stonington Lakewood – 10:10 a.m. and Rapid River – 11:15 a.m.
BARK RIVER
The Bark River American Legion and Auxiliary from the Rheaume-Knauf Post 438 will have Memorial Day services at the following cemeteries on Monday, May 29. All times are EST. Perronville at 9 a.m., Schaffer at 9:30 a.m, West Ford River at 10:00 a.m., South Ford River at 10:45 a.m., Bark River at 11:30 a.m.
The roll call of Veterans and Auxiliary members will be read at each cemetery. Prayers will be offered by the chaplains. The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited by all present, and a 21-gun salute will be fired followed by “Taps.”
Poppy girl will have poppies available for a donation. This year’s poppy girl is Lilly Bartel, granddaughter of Legionnaire Dwayne Klein. All contributions go to veteran’s programs locally.
ESCANABA
The Delta County Veterans Council will present a Memorial Day ceremony at the Gardens of Rest Memorial Park, 6556 US-41, Wells, on May 29 at 11 a.m.
All veterans, veterans families, and the public are welcome to attend to honor those who have been laid to rest that served our nation as a member of the United States Armed Forces.
Events will include: the National Anthem, introduction of veterans organizations, honored guest speech, ringing of the bell, rifle salute, playing of “Taps” and bagpipes player. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony for all in attendance.
Small Memorial Day observances will be held at: Holy Cross Cemetery – 9 a.m., Lakeview Cemetery approximately 9:25 a.m., Veterans Memorial Ludington Park – approximately 9:45 a.m., and the Aronson Island Bridge Ludington Park approximately 10 a.m.
GLADSTONE
Plans are complete for the annual Memorial Day event at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29 at the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone. American Legion Post 71 of Gladstone will be presenting Memorial Day ceremonies, then a service at Gladstone Yacht Club at 11 a.m.
State Rep. Dave Prestin will give the keynote address. Prestin is a Cedar River native where he resides with his wife, Kathie, and daughter, Mattie. He is the former owner/operator of the Cedar River Plaza and is currently a fully licensed paramedic and has been an active first responder for Mid County Rescue 114. He is with the Cedarville Township Volunteer Fire Department and Stephenson Lions Club and was a former student at Bay College.
He is currently the 108 District state representative in the Michigan House, serving on the house committee for local government and municipal finance and Committee on Energy, Communication and Technology.
The Memorial Day Program is sponsored by the August Mattson American Legion Post #71 of Gladstone. Master of ceremonies is Legion Commander Barry Holm. The Gladstone High School Marching Band will provide patriotic music for the event. Following the ceremony at the cemetery, everyone is invited to the Gladstone Yacht Club for the Casting of the Flowered Wreath on the water to honor those veterans who have lost their lives at sea. Dan Landsfield, retired Coast Guard will be the guest speaker. Landsfield served 27 years being promoted to the rank of senior chief. Notable accomplishments include graduating from the CPO and Maritime Law Academy and apprehension of the NARCO submarine trafficking cocaine from Columbia to Mexico. The ceremony at the Yacht club will have a nautical theme to it with poems and history.
The Gladstone High school Marching Band with once again play music and the Casting of the Wreath will be done by Jeff Moreau retired Navy Machinist Mate 1st Class. Both programs will end with a 21-gun salute from the Post #71 rifle squad and “Taps” from the high school band.
HERMANSVILLE
Floriano-Stacker-Kelly Unit Ladies Auxiliary Post 340 invites the public to Hermansville’s Memorial Day Service and Cemetery Memorial Dedication Monday, May 29. Memorial services will be at 11:15 a.m. with the Veterans Memorial Dedication at 11:45 a.m. at Meyer Township Cemetery.
Everyone is invited to a luncheon following the services at the Legion Post 340.
Bring a lawn chair to enjoy thet celebration.
Luncheon is sponsored by Floriano-Stecker-Kelly Unit Ladies Auxiliary Post 340
NORTHLAND
Memorial Day services will be held at Northland Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. (Escanaba River Post 115).
ROCK
A Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at Rock Cemetery at 10 a.m. (Rock American Legion).
ESCANABA TOWNSHIP (Flat Rock)
A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at Escanaba Township Cemetery (Flat Rock) at 11:30 a.m. (Escanaba River Post 115).
WATSON
A Memorial Day service will be held at Watson cemetery at 9 a.m. (Escanaba River Post 115).
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