Every Memorial Day, Jerry Beadle places a flag on his father’s gravesite at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.

The late David Nelson Beadle, Sr., served with the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He died in 2008.

“It’s a way we can remember him and pay our respects,” said Jerry, of Niles, prior to watching the city’s annual Memorial Day service Monday at the cemetery with his mother, Joyce Beadle, and fiancee, Amy Masunas.

Joyce was married to David 63 years before he passed. She visits his gravesite as often as she can.

“It’s still emotional,” she said.

Jerry said he has a son, Cody Beadle, and daughter-in-law, Namlee Beadle, both serving in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army 101st Airborne.

“It’s the ultimate sacrifice,” said Masunas. “They put on their uniform and go over there and fight — it’s a wonderful feeling to know people are willing to do that for our freedom.”

Following the Memorial Day parade, former American Legion Post 26 Commander Kenneth Wolf led a service at the Veterans Memorial at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Adam Mensinger filled in as the guest speaker for Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, who was dealing with a death in the family. Mensinger, district representative for Proos, thanked U.S. servicemen and women for all they do and asked everyone to remember the veterans who died for our country.

The Brandywine High School marching band played and a wreath was placed at the Veterans Memorial by Wolf and American Legion Post 26 Auxiliary Debby Wolf.

“We had a good crowd this year, so Niles has been very supportive of it,” said U.S. Air Force veteran Paul Kolloff, a veteran of the Vietnam War, who drove a jeep in the parade. “It’s good to see everyone come out.”

More than 30 organizations participated in the parade, including Miss Niles Scholarship Organization, Niles High School marching band and the Optimist Soccer League.