The state’s longest-running Memorial Day parade will pay tribute to 100 years of honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in service to their country.
DEARBORN – The city’s 100th Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, held in consultation with the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council, will take place at 9:30 a.m. May 25, beginning at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Schaefer Road.
This year, Michigan’s longest-running Memorial Day parade will pay tribute to 100 years of honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those who lost their lives in service to the United States.
Houssain “Sam” T. Sareini, a captain in the United States Navy, will serve as the grand marshal for Dearborn’s 100th Memorial Day Parade.
The parade will be led by U.S. Naval Capt. Houssain “Sam” T. Sareini. The Dearborn native will serve as grand marshal of the parade.
“Memorial Day is sacred in Dearborn,” Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said. “We are deeply honored to uphold our community’s traditions by marking the 100th Memorial Day parade this year — a truly significant milestone for the city. This anniversary is a tribute to the service and ultimate sacrifice of all military members, particularly the 347 service members from Dearborn who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“The presence of our city’s own hometown hero, Captain Sareini, as our grand marshal makes this historic event even more meaningful.”
Before parade groups begin marching, the city and DAWVC will honor those who served and have since passed in a ceremonial military funeral procession. The procession, which specifically pays respect to former armed services members who were not interred, will begin at 9:30 a.m. along the parade route.
“By commemorating their bravery and resilience, we pay homage to their sacrifices, strength, and courage, which underscores the true spirit of Memorial Day and the gratitude we owe to those who have served,” DAWVC Commander John Bendzick said.
Grand Marshal Naval Capt. Sam T. Sareini
Born and raised in Dearborn, Sareini’s distinguished Navy career includes commanding multiple operations, deployments, and various shore assignments, such as Division Director for Chemistry and Materials at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command. He was named 2015 Instructor of the Year while serving as Deputy Module Head for Surface Warfare at Tactical Training Group Atlantic.
His military honors include the Bronze Star, Combat Action Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals, and various unit commendations.
Sareini is the son of Suzanne Sareini, the first Arab American woman to serve on the Dearborn City Council, and brother of Michael T. Sareini, the current City Council president.
Parade schedule, route, and road closures
The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at Michigan Avenue and Schaefer Road, and will end at the Veterans Park and War Memorial at Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave. A formal remembrance ceremony will follow the parade at approximately noon, or 15 minutes after the parade’s conclusion.
To safely accommodate the parade route and ceremony activities, all traffic will be blocked along Michigan Avenue between Schaefer and HFCL between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 25.
City seeking parade participants
Applications are open to potential parade participants. Those interested in marching in the Dearborn Memorial Day parade can apply at Dearborn.gov/MemorialDay.
More ways to honor the fallen
Leading up to the parade, the city plans to launch several initiatives to recognize the 347 service members from Dearborn who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Utilizing research compiled by author and historian Lisa Lark, who has documented the names, branches, and histories of all 347 fallen heroes, the city will provide opportunities for residents, businesses, and schools to participate in honoring these individuals during this historic year of commemoration.
For more information, go to Dearborn.gov/MemorialDay.