HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Preparations are underway for Holland’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29.
All veterans and active duty military personnel are encouraged to participate in the parade, even if they are unable to walk the route. The Parade Committee will match veterans with drivers of historic and classic cars, jeeps, and other military vehicles to make sure everyone who wants to participate, can do so.
All veterans from World War II through the present day are invited, including all branches of the military: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard service members, whether they served in wartime or peacetime, during the cold war era, and both stateside and overseas.
The Honorary Grand Marshals for the 2017 Memorial Day parade are Roger Jansen and Adrian VanHouten. Roger and Ade are both veterans of the United States Coast Guard and served as organizers of the Memorial Day activities for decades until 2008, when a separate committee of citizens took over the organization of the parade.
Following the parade, area citizens are invited to attend a Memorial Day Service at 11:00 a.m. around the Civil War Monument at Pilgrim Home Cemetery. The monument is located on the north side of 16th Street, east of Fairbanks Avenue. This year’s program will feature keynote speaker David DeJonge, a West Michigan photographer who documented the last of the World War I veterans in the last decade. 2017 is the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into WWI.
Holland Mayor Nancy DeBoer will bring greetings from the City of Holland while the Holland American Legion Band will provide patriotic music. Military ceremonies, the forming of a field cross and grave decorating also will highlight the ceremony, along with the traditional playing of Taps.
The “Avenue of Flags” at Pilgrim Home Cemetery, now having grown to include 450 casket flags – each representing a deceased military veteran – will be on display at sunrise.
Owners of classic convertibles, jeeps, and military vehicles are urged to participate. All who wish to be involved may register their entry at the Memorial Day Parade website No advertising of any kind may be displayed on any vehicle.
The public is invited to view the parade throughout the downtown area; and are urged to attend the memorial service at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of 8th Street and Central Avenue.
