The Cassopolis Veterans of Foreign Wars William E. Lozier Post 10704 will host the village’s annual Memorial Day Parade Monday.

The Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10 a.m. from behind the VFW and will wind down onto Broadway and lead up to Prospect Hill Cemetery where military honors, including “Taps” and a gun salute, will be held.

The Honor Guard will be in full uniform and the Ross Beatty High School band will perform.

Those who are participating in the parade should be behind the VFW near the post office by 9:30 a.m.

“This is a day to honor our dead, not necessarily the veterans that are still alive,” Chris Bergen said. “Memorial Day is for those who have gone before us.”

Grand marshals for this year’s parade are Cassopolis Police Chief Frank Williams and Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood, both of whom are retiring this year.

“We thought we would salute them by putting them up at the front of the parade and show our appreciation for their service to our community,” Bergen said.

School-aged children may once again decorate and ride their bikes in the parade. They will be judged and $25 gift cards will be awarded in three different grade categories.

Bergen noted that thanks to the Cassopolis High School band, they will once again have someone playing “Taps.”

Bergen also said that this is a special Memorial Day as it is the 150th anniversary of the event.

Post Commander Tom Green will be officiating the ceremony at the cemetery.

Following the parade and ceremonies at the cemetery, all veterans are invited to return to Post 10704 for a lunch, which is being provided by the Cassopolis Fire Department.

The VFW will be recognizing the Fireman of the Year.

“Many of the guys I know who have passed or went during wartime I know they would firmly believe that everybody should be out enjoying themselves doing the American thing on this weekend,” Bergen said. “We simply ask that you think about them and raise a beer to their memory and enjoy the long weekend.”

While Bergen said anyone is welcome to come join the parade up until Monday morning, it would be appreciated if they would call in advance so that the VFW has an idea of how many units will be participating and to get their names on the list, which will be called out as they pass near the historic courthouse. Bergen can be reached at (269) 4760-1400.