By Lisa Carolin
The sound of the marching band’s drums was the first alert that the annual Memorial Day Parade in Chelsea was on its way Monday, May 27.
With all the people lining the streets along with children and dogs, the parade made its way through town with veterans carrying flags, the Beach Middle School band playing patriotic tunes, and lots of girl scouts, boy scouts, cub scouts and brownies also participating.
“This is part of the town,” said Andy Ford, who never misses Chelsea’s Memorial Day parade. “It’s what we do. All of my kids marched in the band. You get to see people you might not otherwise get to see.”
A beautiful spring day set the stage at Oak Grove Cemetery where Craig Maier, a veteran and supervisor of Lima Township, was the master of ceremonies.
Pastor Joe Jeffries from the First Congregational Church in Chelsea lead the invocation.
“We pause to reflect on those who paid the ultimate sacrifices so we can be here in Chelsea and in this nation,” said Jeffries. “We have the freedom to gather here with the parade and festivities. We have hope because people care and love wins. We give thanks for those who have given their lives and served so that we can experience the freedom we do every day.”
The Chelsea High School Marching Band played the National Anthem and America the Beautiful, then speaker Jeff Gunnis talked about the two great holidays every summer – Memorial Day and Independence Day.
Following more patriotic music and the benediction, Maier invited everyone to American Legion Post 31 in Sylvan Township for hot dogs, chips, and beverages.
