Big rain bombarded Clark Lake yesterday (Sun 5/26) afternoon, and again in the early morning hours today, totaling 2 1/4 inches. By 8:30 am, lingering sprinkles did not deter the spirit of Michigan’s Biggest Little Parade – the Memorial Day Parade at Clark Lake.  The size of turnout suggests that a few puddles were not going to dampen this traditional event.

As every Memorial Day morning, Clark Lakers lined the Hyde Road parade route.  The procession headed from north to south, turned around at Doyle’s, and then headed back north, where it stopped at the cemetery.  It’s there remembrance of those who perished in military service took place.  In a change of tradition this year, parade-related events ended at the cemetery instead of proceeding to the church.

This video begins with the parade.  When the parade stops at the cemetery, you’ll hear the Lions Club’s Walt Reed deliver heartfelt words about those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Major Reed (U.S. Army Ret) fought in the Vietnam war.  In his comments, he remembers eleven of his troops who came home under a flag.

At the conclusion of the event, the Lions Club handed out two-dollar bills to kids who participated in the parade.  You’ll see some of them in this slide show, as well as many other smiling Clark Lakers who attended.