In remembrance of those who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, the communities of Niles and Buchanan will each be holding Memorial Day parades.

The Niles parade will take place at 10 a.m. Monday beginning in downtown Niles. The line-up area has changed due to the ongoing project to restore the Main Street Bridge. Line-up will begin at 9 a.m. at Niles City Hall, located at 333. N. 2nd St.

“This is a very important parade for our community’s veterans,” said John Sly, American Legion Post 26 commander. “Let’s all turn out and show our country’s pride and support for all our veterans of past wars and all the soldiers that are in all our present day armed forces.”

The parade route will follow Main Street east to Silverbrook Cemetery where a service will take place. A wreath will be placed in the Veterans Circle and Pastor Jeff Whittaker will provide an opening and closing prayer. Sen. John Proos is scheduled to speak and the Niles High School band will provide patriotic music.

Although the parade line-up is set, Sly said organizers will try to work in those that still want to be part of the festivities. Call Debby Wolf at (269) 684-3098 for more information.

American Legion Post 26 will also sponsor two Memorial Day services in Niles this weekend.

The first service will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday at Mission Hills Cemetery, located at 61453 M-51, Niles.

The second service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at the Veterans Memorial in Niles Riverfront Park.

Kenneth Wolf, a former American Legion Post commander, will be the guest speaker at both services.

Buchanan’s Memorial Day parade is scheduled to step off at 10 a.m. Monday. Line-up begins at 9:30 a.m. at American Legion Post 51, located at 403 E. Front St.

The route will follow Front Street west to Terre Coupe Street and finish at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

In case of rain, services will be held at American Legion Post 51.

For more information about participating in Buchanan’s parade, call Marvin Pruett at (269) 695-2374 or American Legion Post 51 at (269) 695-6633.

 

Niles Memorial Day

Parade Line-up

• Niles Police Department

• Michigan State Police

• Berrien County Sheriff’s Department

• Grand Marshals: Sen. John Proos and John Sly, Post 26 Commander

• Portage Road Baptist Church

• American Legion Post 26 Firing Squad

• Mont Ford Point Marine

• Niles High School Marching Band

• “Woody” Quick

• Miss Niles

• Four Flags Area Apple Festival

• Jess Kelems 2-4 cars

• Michiana Christian Embassy Church Float

• Brownie Troop No. 00313

• State Rep. David Pagel

• All Needs Services

• Bethlehem Baptist Church

• Brandywine Marching Band

• Bret Witkowski, Berrien County Treasurer

• Ed Dunnick’s 1943 John Deer Tractor

• Thunderbird Club 12 cars with Bob Ahrens

• Clark’s Towing

• Niles Utilities

• Howard Township Fire Department

• Niles City Fire Department

• Niles Township Fire Department

• Bicycles, skateboards, etc.