CASCADE — Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was first observed by communities all over the U.S. following the Civil War, when the nation suffered more than 620,000 military deaths - approximately 2 percent of the entire U.S. population at the time. Memorial Day remains an annual day of remembrance to honor all American veterans who gave their lives in service to this country.
Cascade Township invites the community to mark this occasion with a ceremony at 10 am outside the Cascade Library, 2870 Jacksmith Ae. SE. Officiating the ceremony will be Township Supervisor Grace Lesperance. Tim Dieffenbach of the Thornapple Community Church will give the invocation.
“This event is a great tradition in Cascade Township and an important way for Cascadians and members of neighboring communities to remember our country’s heroes,” Lesperance said. “We are honored to host this event and look forward to paying tribute to the selfless individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Guest speaker will be Ron Jansen, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and author of An Otherwise Healthy Person: A Marine’s Story of Going to Fallujah and Fighting to Come Home.
The event will also recognize members of McDonald-Osmer Post #451 of the American Legion, and include a color guard of 3rd Michigan Infantry Co. F Civil War reenactors, a flag raising by Scouting America Troop 345, and music by the Forest Hills Central High School Jazz Band.
Read more about guest speaker Ron Jansen and view the event program on our Community Events page. This is a free, family-friendly event.