GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Jenison held its annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony honoring veterans Monday, May 27. The parade began at 9 a.m.
at Baldwin Street and 20th Avenue and traveled along Baldwin Street to Cottonwood Drive. After the parade, there was a ceremony at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Well before 9 a.
m., community members bundled up and lined Baldwin Street in anticipation of the parade. A light rain fell, though many didn’t mind.
“It’s just fun. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, rain or shine, though I prefer the shine,” said community member Dawn Lynema, who’s been going to the parade since it started. Leading the parade was the group of veterans.
As they walked past, a round of applause broke out to commemorate their sacrifice. Kids laughed and cheered as parade participants handed out candy, and cars and firetrucks honked their horns. From some parade floats, music could be heard such as “I’m proud to be an American.
” Ron Van Surksum one of the organizers of the parade spoke on what the parade is about. “It definitely centers around Memorial Day and veterans, it’s a way to honor those who have served,” Surksum said. “It’s about community.
” At the ceremony, a crowd of about 120 people gathered at the cemetery waiting for a few words to be spoken by Lt. Col. Denny Gillem.
Vietnam veteran Ron Hadley was one of them. With his veteran’s hat and kind smile, Hadley was happy to chat about what it’s like being a veteran on Memorial .
