To the editor:

Every year after the Memorial Day Parade, I pause for a few moments and hope that I have thanked all the people who have made this parade possible.

This is only my third year as commander of the American Legion Post 26. And I think it was a very good parade, but I couldn’t begin to do this all by myself.

I would like to thank my wife, Debby Wolf, for answering phones and doing all the extra things that wives do to help their husbands when we get involved in something. Also, thanks to Joan Renbarger, my daughter, for doing the paperwork that a parade of this size generates.

A very special thanks for Pastor Jeff Whittaker from Michigan Christian Embassy for the great job he always does for us.

We don’t want to forget the American Legion Color Guard and the firing squad. This isn’t an easy job, and they do it well.
Brandywine High School Marching Band’s patriotic music was excellent. In fact, all bands in the parade were great. Niles is really blessed to have so many good kids in the music department.

We should also thank all of our area police agencies for the excellent job they do for us each year. A parade adds a lot of work to their already full schedules, but it is sure worth it.  Thank you to the Friends of Silverbrook for all their work.  Thank you to Andy Roberts and John for their help with lining up the parade.

A parade is more than one or two people getting together and deciding this is what we want to do. Especially this parade; it is a combination of veterans’ wives, mothers, kids and grandparents who have had or do have sons, daughters or loved ones serving in all our armed forces. This is our day for them … let’s not forget how important it is to have their home people and country recognize them for what they are doing.

If you see a person in the armed forces home on leave, please go up and shake their hand or pat them on the back and say, “Thanks for all you’re doing!”

You will see a big smile, and the connection you just made will make you feel great, and they will realize we really do care.

Thanks again for all of you who participated in this parade and to all of you who also came to the cemetery with us. I realize that laying a wreath on the veteran’s grave may not be that important to a lot of people, but is important enough for that soldier to give up his/her life for our country. May God bless our country, and may God bless and hold on to each and every one of our men and women who are still serving in the armed forces to protect this great country. And Lord, please bring them all home safe. We love and are proud of our flag, but not on our sons’ and daughters’ coffins.

Thank you!

Commander Kenneth Wolf

Debby Wolf

John Sly

American Legion Post 26

Niles