Niles community gathers to honor fallen heroes with parade

Published 8:52 am Tuesday, May 29, 2018

By Kelsey Hammon

NILES — Wearing a cap stitched with the word: “Navy,” on it, Richard Appelt, of South Bend, joined hundreds Monday in honoring the men and women who sacrificed their lives to serve their country, during the annual Memorial Day parade.

Standing along Main Street, Appelt recalled his time serving in the Vietnam War as an aircraft mechanic and helicopter stand in. On Memorial Day, he said he was reminded of the friends he had who also served during that time period and never returned home.   

“A few of the people I graduated high school with, their names are on the wall in Washington D.C.,” Appelt said. “I still got to go there. It’s on my bucket list I guess.

Appelt’s friends and the many others who lost their lives serving their country were remembered Monday. To commemorate the occasion, the American Legion Post #26 organized a parade, followed by a ceremony at Silverbrook Cemetery.

While the parade included dozens of floats and two band performances, veterans were also recognized as they took part in the parade. When they passed parade goers by, people would stand and clap their hands.

Dan Pulaski, a Niles Township trustee, who attended the parade Monday with his children and grandchildren in toe, said this recognition for local veterans was one of the best aspects of the parade.

“Just being out here [honors them]. Every one stands up [when veterans pass] and they cheer more,” Pulaski said. “It’s the least we can do, right?”

Others who lined the streets Monday, took part in the tradition of attending the Niles parade and honoring the lives of veterans lost.

Scott and Heather Galbreath, of Niles, arrived more than an hour before the parade started to stake out a shade spot near the fire station. The couple said they were there to see their daughter, Emily, perform percussion in the band. Like Appelt, they also kept in mind those who had served.

“We like to look for the veterans in the parade,” Heather said. “It’s just an important day to observe all of our freedoms.”

After the parade finished its route, many continued the event by meeting in the cemetery for the ceremony. Those who attended heard a prayer, a musical performance by Niles High Schooler Kara West, who performed the “Star Spangled” banner. The Brandywine High School band also played. The crowd also heard brief speeches by American Legion members Robert Ahrens, a commander and Odie Stewart, a vice commander. 

Stewart and Ahrens thanked the crowd for gathering at the cemetery and making time to remember fallen veterans.

“To the veterans in the cemetery, we pay homage to [you],” Stewart said. “They are the reasons we are here and why have our freedoms and liberties.”

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