Veterans participate in a May 19 Memorial Day remembrance at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – From veterans to politicians, from Shriners to Scouts, Lincoln Park hosted its Memorial Day parade a week early May 19 with enthusiastic participants and attendees.
Firetrucks and police cars participated in the parade, along with veteran groups with colorful floats.
Churches and youth groups, including scouts and sports teams, walked the route, followed by specialty Jeeps and antique cars of myriad vintage.
Lincoln Park High School brought its marching band and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps contingent.
The Shriners provided entertainment with a full cortege of miniature cars, a stage coach, a clown car, a bucking old-fashioned police car and mini-bikes.
Members of the Lincoln Park High School Marching Band perform during the May 19 Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
Following the parade, a Memorial Day ceremony was held at Memorial Park, with veteran groups placing wreaths at the monuments listing the city’s fallen service members.
Veteran group leaders and Mayor Michael Higgins spoke to the gathered attendees, which included the American Legion Riders, a motorcycle contingent.
Higgins said that 12 years ago, Lincoln Park didn’t have a Memorial Day Parade, and with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and a newly formed volunteer group, Hands of the City, they restarted the annual parade.
“There is nothing more honorable than standing here today and giving this speech for this event,” he said. “These men, these women, go overseas and do what they have to do so we can have our freedom, so we can do what we do, and we must never forget that.”
Higgins encouraged attendees to read the names on the monument after the ceremony.
“These are heroes,” he said. “They gave their lives for us, and I want to say thank you.”
A girl prepares to toss candy from a firetruck May 19 during the Lincoln Park Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
A mounted unit from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office ride May 19 during the Lincoln Park Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
Parade Grand Marshall Jim Davis of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 552 rides May 19 during the Lincoln Park Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 552 participate May 19 during the Lincoln Park Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
Members of the Marine Corp League Downriver Detachment 153 and Auxiliary 403 participate during the May 19 Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
The Vietnam Veterans of America Downriver Chapter 259 participate during the May 19 Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
The Disabled American Veterans Downriver Chapter 102 participate during the May 19 Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
Lincoln Park City Clerk Kerry Kehrer enjoys a vintage ride during the May 19 Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
Shriners entertain during the May 19 Memorial Day Parade down Fort Street.
Flags adorn a monument at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park during a May 19 remembrance ceremony.
A symbolic remembrance for service members missing in action serves as a solemn reminder at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park during a May 19 remembrance ceremony.
Scouts wait to take part in a May 19 Memorial Day remembrance at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park.
Scouts participate in a May 19 Memorial Day remembrance at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park.
Lincoln Park Mayor Michael Higgins (right) honors veteran leaders with a key to the city during a May 19 Memorial Day remembrance at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park.
Lincoln Park Mayor Michael Higgins speaks during a May 19 Memorial Day remembrance at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park.
Veterans lay wreaths and participate during a May 19 Memorial Day remembrance at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park.