St. Clair Shores Memorial Day parade celebrates service, sacrifice

ST. CLAIR SHORES — The last time I had the opportunity to be in a parade, volunteering or otherwise, was in 2014. I was a high schooler at the time playing my instrument in a marching band in the early hours of Thanksgiving Day. I still remember all the fun I had at that time.

This time, during the St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade, I wasn’t decked out in a full marching band uniform, but a sparkling white T-shirt with the word “volunteer” in block letters on the back.

There was a certain pride in volunteering for this parade. It was a feeling of being involved in something bigger than myself, and memorializing all those who fell serving this country in such a grand way touched me. I was happy and excited to help out, even if my role was a small one.

The only obstacle I had to overcome when participating was the sun. Though it was beautiful to have such a clear, blue sky for one of the biggest volunteer-run parades in the nation, I knew I would be hurting later if I didn’t take the proper precautions.

When I got to the parade around noon, people crowded both sides of the street. Performers dressed up as a book-loving princess and a web slinger walked along the sidewalk and street, greeting kids as they went. People danced to the music from the loudspeakers of the stage without a care in the world, including a 76-year-old woman.

I was stationed at the very end of the parade and my job was taking the magnets off the designated vehicles. It was a relatively small job, but I knew it was appreciated.

The parade started with a parachutist landing gracefully on Jefferson Avenue, exciting the crowd for the lineup of floats, groups, guests and vehicles, historical or otherwise. The police led in the parade in a series of loud sirens and revving vehicles.

As the parade went on and veterans, active duty members of the military and reenactment groups passed, it was evident that the true meaning of the holiday was not lost in the flurry of fun and entertainment. St. Clair Shores residents and many others thanked military members and veterans as they waved to the crowd on foot or in the back of a vehicle.

Cheers erupted from the crowd every time a military member or group was announced. Children grabbed candy from the streets as people threw it near the sidewalk. Other volunteers were handing out small American flags that people joyously waved in the air. It was truly thrilling to watch as the crowd celebrated their heroes by clapping, cheering and waving.

After almost three hours of celebration, an announcement rang out naming the last parade entry, followed by the police. By the end, I was tired and very hungry, but I left with a new appreciation for the people who serve in the military, including members of my family.

I know I will never be able to fully comprehend what a military member or veteran goes through, but I hope we’ll be able to celebrate them every day like we did at the parade.