The Memorial Day remembrance, led by the Morenci American Legion Post 368, will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Wakefield Park with an opening ceremony featuring a prayer and a 21-gun salute. The parade will then proceed through downtown Morenci, pausing at the Bean Creek bridge for a wreath presentation and another 21-gun salute in honor of Naval Veterans. The procession will conclude at Oak Grove Cemetery, where the final ceremony will take place.
The cemetery service will feature remarks from this year’s guest speaker, Austin See, leader of the Lenawee County Veterans Coalition, an organization dedicated to connecting local veterans with essential resources and support. See is also a United States Marine Corps veteran who served as a 1371 Combat Engineer. The Morenci Area Schools band will participate in the parade and perform during the service at the cemetery.
Children are invited to take part in the parade, and families are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue and decorate bikes, wagons, or strollers. Golf carts are permitted but must be operated by someone 18 years or older. In keeping with the respectful tone of the event, no candy will be thrown during the parade.
Parade lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. at Wakefield Park. After the service and chapel open house, the day concludes with a community chicken BBQ lunch at the Morenci American Legion Post 368.