The Cassopolis Veterans of Foreign Wars is looking for participants in the annual Memorial Day Parade May 27.

VFW member Chris Bergen has once again taken on the task of organizing the event.

He would like to see more participation from local schools and businesses as the VFW honors the memories of those lost during military service.

The Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10 a.m. from behind the VFW and will wind around down onto Broadway and lead up to Prospect Hill Cemetery where military honors, including taps and a gun salute, will be held.

The Honor Guard will be in full uniform and the Ross Beatty High School band will perform.

“I am trying to build a list of who wants to take part in the parade,” Bergen said. “We would like to invite concerned individuals and companies that would like to join us in the parade.”

You can reach Bergen at 445-2060. Those interested in participating should call by May 24. Bergan can be reached from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

“But we will take people Memorial Day morning,” he said. “All they have to do is find me. I’ll be walking around with a clipboard.”

He also wanted to remind people that Memorial Day is different than Veteran’s Day in November.

“This is a day to honor our dead, not necessarily the veterans that are still alive,” Bergen said. “Memorial Day is for those who have gone before us.”

Following the parade and ceremonies at the cemetery, all veterans are invited to return to Post 10704 for a lunch, which is being provided by the Cassopolis Fire Department.

Bergen is hoping that by reaching out to the community, the Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies can be different than in the past.

“We want to have people to enjoy the holiday weekend, their day off and the barbeques, but to just take a moment to reflect and remember those who have gone before us.”