The city of Dearborn holds its annual Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – From flyovers to a solemn observance, the city remembered its veterans with the 99th annual Michigan Avenue Memorial Day Parade, followed by a remembrance ceremony outside Henry Ford Centennial Library.
Residents lined Michigan Avenue from Schaefer Avenue to Mercury Drive to watch the parade, which included vehicles full of veterans, school marching bands, local non-profit groups and area elected politicians.
This year’s parade honored military and law enforcement K-9 officers, with U.S. Army veteran Michael Stanton, and Michigan State Trooper and U.S. Air Force veteran Joshua Olszewski serving as parade grand marshals.
Stanton, who graduated from Dearborn High School in 1969, became an Infantry Scout Handler with the U.S. Army, where he and his canine partners provided essential assistance to units requiring bomb and improvised explosive device protection.
The Lowrey Middle School Band participates in Dearborn’s 99th Memorial Day Parade May 26 on Michigan Avenue in east Dearborn.
He continues to support military working dogs, and advocates for legislation to ensure that their medical bills are covered by the government after their service.
Olszewski, a Michigan State Police trooper and a U.S. Air Force veteran, is a K-9 handler who performs tracking, patrol and narcotics detection. While serving in the military he was deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.
Following the parade, veterans and local officials gathered outside Henry Ford Centennial Library for a remembrance ceremony, which featured the music of the Dearborn High School Marching Band, conducted by Brian McCloskey, and the Dearborn Combined Voices, conducted by G. Kevin Dewey, performing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “America the Beautiful” and an armed forces salute, featuring the anthems of all branches of the U.S. military.
Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council Commander Frank Montoya served as the master of ceremonies, with the Dearborn Police ritual team and honor guard posting the colors.
Roger Amenson, 2024 veteran of the year, led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by DAWVC Chaplain Frank Pelaccio providing the invocation and benediction.
Mayor Abdullah Hammoud spoke, followed by grand marshals Stanton and Olszewski.
Scouts from Sacred Heart School participate in Dearborn’s 99th Memorial Day Parade May 26 on Michigan Avenue in east Dearborn.
Edsel Ford High School’s Marching Thunderbirds perform in Dearborn’s 99th Memorial Day Parade May 26 on Michigan Avenue in east Dearborn.
Vietnam Veterans of America Downriver Chapter 259 participate in Dearborn’s 99th Memorial Day Parade May 26 on Michigan Avenue in east Dearborn.
Divine Child High School’s marching band performs in Dearborn’s 99th Memorial Day Parade May 26 on Michigan Avenue in east Dearborn.
U.S. Air Force Veteran and Michigan State Police Trooper Joshua Olszewski serves as one of the grand marshals for Dearborn’s 99th Memorial Day Parade May 26 on Michigan Avenue in east Dearborn.
The Dearborn Combined Voices under the direction of G. Kevin Dewey perform at the May 26 Dearborn Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony held outside the Henry Ford Centennial Library.