The Capt. Charles Osborne Post 5189, Veterans of Foreign Wars, will be sponsoring Vicksburg Memorial Day activities on Monday May 29. The annual parade, led by Vicksburg High School’s Marching Band, will step off at 10 a.m. from the Vicksburg Middle School. The post is asking local organizations to join the parade with floats or marching groups and yes, it would love horses and vintage vehicles, said Senior Vice Commander Robert Rainwater. He can be reached at 649-1700.
Immediately after the parade there will be a remembrance ceremony at the Vicksburg cemetery to salute our fallen veterans. Commander Edward (Butch) Wesoloski hopes many neighbors will turn out for the ceremonies this year. The speaker will be Jan and Denny McNally’s daughter, Kenzi Pridgeon. She is an Air Force captain and a pilot in the Air National Guard.
The next five years are a period of time when 75th anniversary commemorations will take place of many major battles that led to victory in World War II. This would include the Tokyo bombing raid led by Gen. Jimmy Doolittle. 2017 is the 100th anniversary of the nation’s entry into World War I. A total of 117,000 Americans paid the ultimate price.
“This is a special time when all Americans should take time to reflect on the price that was paid to protect the life style enjoyed by our people. All children should be taught the importance and meaning of this holiday in American History,” said James L. Hamrick, the post’s quartermaster.
Memorial Day Schedule – Vicksburg
10 a.m. Vicksburg Memorial Day parade, will start at the Middle School and be led by the Big Red Machine marching band. They will march to the cemetery on Highway Street, via Prairie and Michigan Avenue, where a ceremony will take place. The speaker will be Capt. Kenzi Pridgeon.
Memorial Day Schedule – Schoolcraft
10:40 a.m. the parade begins at the corner of Cedar and Cass streets. It will travel to U.S. 131 and go north to Lyon Street, turn left on VW to the cemetery, led by the Schoolcraft High School band.
11 a.m. Ceremonies honoring veterans at the cemetery.
Memorial Day Schedule – Fulton
11:30 for participants to line up.
Noon for the children’s parade to travel south to the cemetery on 44th street.
12:30 the parade led by the Vicksburg High School Big Red Machine marching band will begin at the north end of the village limits and travel on 44th street to the cemetery for a short ceremony.