Niles will have the opportunity to honor the men and women who died while serving their country during the city’s annual Memorial Day parade and services May 25-26.

“This is a very important parade for our community’s veterans,” said John Sly, commander of American Legion Post 26. “Let’s all turn out and show our country’s support for all our veterans of past and present wars and all of the soldiers that are in all our present day armed forces.”

The festivities begin with a pair of services sponsored by American Legion Post 26 on May 25. The first is 11 a.m. at Mission Hill Cemetery and the second is at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial in Riverfront Park.

The Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. May 26 near the Main Street Bridge and run up Main Street. Those in the parade should begin lining up at 9 a.m. at the former YMCA building on State Street.

For best viewing, people are encouraged to get a seat in the downtown area along Main Street.

Following the parade there will be a service at Silverbrook Cemetery with a wreath being placed in Veterans Circle by the cannon. Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, will be the special guest speaker for the ceremony. Sly will serve as the master of ceremonies.

For more information or to receive a parade application, call Sly at (269) 357-1411. Applications can also be picked up between 5 and 10 p.m. during Monday night bingo at the American Legion Post 26, 104 N. 3rd St., Niles.

All applications should be returned by May 19, although parade organizers will attempt to get people into the parade if the application is turned in late.