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Mostly Cloudy War heroes honored, remembered in Baldwin
Baldwin residents came out in droves, wearing red, white and blue and applauding veterans marching by, as the community united on Memorial Day to remember the servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for freedom.
Hundreds of community members lined Grand Avenue during the annual parade, which featured veterans, schools, the Baldwin Fire Department, civic organizations, sports leagues and other groups.
The May 26 parade was followed by a service at Silver Lake Park where Michael Miller, a navy veteran and Baldwin resident since 1958, was honored as grand marshal. Miller sat in the backseat of a blue convertible during the parade, waving to those in attendance.
Under sunny skies, Miller told the crowd that his first Memorial Day Parade in Baldwin was in 1960. He then shared a story of one of his 12 grandchildren giving him a card about 15 years ago to honor the veterans who sacrificed their lives.
During the parade, a Cub Scout from Pack 824 presented Miller with a similar homemade card and it struck a cord. It read, “Thank you for your service. Veterans are heroes.”
Miller said these are “the sentiments that we need today.”
Various veteran and community groups honored the fallen by placing wreaths in Silver Lake Park. Maggie Green led the singing of the national anthem and “America the Beautiful,” as many in attendance sang along.
A community marches
In addition to the hundreds of Baldwin residents watching the parade, hundreds more marched in it. There were several bands playing patriotic tunes and the Baldwin parade debut of Jim Koehler, a 1971 Baldwin High School graduate, and his pneumatic calliope.
Baldwin American Legion Post 246 members rode in the front of the parade on motorcycles, many carrying American flags.
