Our daughter and her friend from high school rode in the parade. They had a good laugh when her friend's horse took exception to the large letters saying SCHOOL painted on the highway and side stepped around the letters so she didn't have to walk on them - and our horse went into her lip flopping mood when the kids ran into the street to catch the candy being thrown. She doesnt flap those lips quietly! On the other hand she REALLY liked the pipes and stepped right along in rhythm w/them.
The Memorial service was beautiful and moving. Who can not be moved by Taps? Our granddaughter and another band member played Taps for the service. And altho Amazing Grace is a beautiful song it is never so beautiful and moving as when played by the bagpipes. We are fortunate to have 4 pipers in the area.
The Service Anthems for each branch of service is played and all veterans from that branch are asked to come forward and are given seats of honor right up front for the Memorial services. The US Marines are always last. Two state politicians and a Judge attended our Memorial Day services.
The VMW presented the Wall of Honor. This wall consists of a larger than life dog tag w/the fallen Michigan soldier's name, rank and year they died from the Gulf War to present. A veteran of 12 years service and the Gulf War reminded us that there aer still missing POW's from Michigan.
There was a placing of wreaths and a Rifle Salute and flag presentations.
The piper fell but the reaper's chains couldn't bring his wild heart under
The pipes he loved would never sound again for he tore its drones asunder
He said, "No chains shall sully thee, the voice of strength and bravery
Thy songs were made for the pure and free, they shall never sound in slavery".
