I want to thank Bob Ahrens and Odas Stewart for all the work they did to make this year’s Memorial Day Parade such a success.

I would also like to thank Kenneth Wolf for being the master of ceremonies on Sunday, and the City of Niles and the city council for allowing us to hold the Memorial Day parade. It was an outstanding day for a parade.

I also want to thank everyone who participated in the parade and everyone who came out to see the parade.   

A special thank you to the two Niles High School Students who did an outstanding job playing echo taps.

A special thank-you to the following participants:

• Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey

• The Niles City Police for leading the parade and for traffic control

• The Niles High School Marching Band for the patriotic music.

Even though Memorial Day is more than just parades, picnics and the unofficial start of summer, it is nice to see the community coming out to show their support for the sacrifice’s that all the men and women of the military that have passed. It shows the family of these great men and women that their loved ones’ sacrifices will not be forgotten by this great nation.

John Sly

American Legion Post 26