By Paul Garrod
Staff Writer
PAW PAW – Paw Paw’s 103rd annual Memorial Day services will be held Monday, May 29, with the annual parade starting at 10 a.m. from the 120 Taphouse and Bistro parking lot, via Michigan Avenue to Maple City Veterans’ Memorial Park for services.
Parade Grand Marshal will be a member of the Paw Paw Lions Club. Paw Paw Fire Chief, Jim DeGroff, IV, will be guest speaker. The Paw Paw High School Marching will perform under the direction of Amy Gronda, band director. The Battle Hymn of the Republic will be performed by Jessica Allen and Aliya Leavett, with the Gettysburg Address spoken by Billy Webster, and General Logan’s Order by Cayley Hostetler. Echo Taps will be performed by Kendrick Brown.
World War II veterans, members of The Greatest Generation, will be honored during the ceremony. A roll call of World War II area veterans who attend the ceremony will be held. WWII wishing to attend are asked to arrive early and report to the speaker’s stand so that they can be introduced during the service.
Following the services, a luncheon will be served at the American Legion Hall on Niles Street.
Decorating of the area cemeteries (Almena, Antwerp, Waverly, and Paw Paw townships) with flags has begun the week before Memorial Day. If a grave is missing a flag holder or flag, contact Bob Adams at (269) 217-5765. Callers are asked to give a location of the grave in the cemetery and the name on the marker. If a veteran’s marker through the VA needs to be ordered individuals may also contact Adams. A discharge will be needed to order the marker.
GOBLES – Gobles will hold a Memorial Day parade at 9 a.m., Monday, May 29, that will travel down State Street (M-40). Lineup will begin at the Gobles High School parking lot.
LAWRENCE – Lawrence will hold a Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m., Monday, May 29, with a service to follow at Lawrence Village Park. Over 1,000 luminaries, representing Lawrence area military veterans, will be on display at Hill Cemetery, Lawrence, at approximately 8:30 p.m.
LAWTON – On Monday, May 29, the Village of Lawton will host its annual Memorial Day Parade
and Celebration. This year, Lawton will honor the Reid family for their contributions to the village with a recognition ceremony starting prior to the parade at 9:30 a.m. at Reid’s Corner, north of Wagoner’s Grocery Store. The Memorial Day Parade will kick-off at 10 a.m. at the Lawton Fire Station, and will make its way toward Oak Grove Cemetery, stopping for the National Anthem at Reid’s Corner along the way.
Immediately following the parade, a ceremony will be held at the cemetery. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Lawton Summerfest will host a Memorial Day Barbecue at the fire station at 11 a.m. The menu will include pulled pork sandwiches, Honee Bear asparagus, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, coleslaw, lemonade, and water. Barbecue prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children, or $25 for a family. All proceeds will benefit the 2023 Lawton Summerfest.
MATTAWAN – Mattawan Boy Scout Troop 161 will hold a pancake breakfast at the Mattawan Fire District Hall, on Monday,May 29 beginning at 8 a.m. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. at Mattawan Memorial Park. A parade will not be held this year, but plans call for the parade to return next year.