Dearborn Memorial Day parade salutes veterans
The parade featured more than 60 marching groups, hundreds of veterans and flyovers from a Coast Guard helicopter.
Dearborn Memorial Day parade salutes veterans The parade featured more than 60 marching groups, hundreds of veterans and flyovers from a Coast Guard helicopter. Check out this story on Freep.com: http://on.freep.com/2s7E75d
Ann Zaniewski, Detroit Free Press Published 4:22 p.m. ET May 29, 2017 | Updated 6:32 p.m. ET May 29, 2017
The 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30, 2017, along Michigan Avenue in Dearborn.(Photo: Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press)
Ellie Balash and her relatives sat along the Dearborn Memorial Day Parade route with homemade signs that said, "Thank you for our freedom" and, "God bless all who serve the USA."
A veteran who was marching stopped to salute them.
"I just appreciate what everyone does for us to keep us safe," said Balash, 67, of Canton, while wearing a T-shirt decorated with a U.S. flag.
Balash was among the thousands of people Monday who watched marching bands, unicyclists, firefighters, community groups and scouts make their way down Michigan Avenue in a salute to America's veterans.
In its 93rd year, the Dearborn Memorial Day Parade is the oldest continuous parade in Michigan. Hundreds of veterans participated.
The event always honors people who have died while serving the country. This year, it paid special tribute to women who have served in the military, too.
Army Nurse Corps Reserve veteran Mary Husson of Dearborn waits to speak at the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30, 2017, in Dearborn. (Photo: Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press)
A remembrance ceremony for fallen service men and women was held after the parade at Henry Ford Centennial Library.
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Bright sunshine beat down on the spectators lining Michigan Avenue. Some of them held balloons, others dressed in their best patriotic duds. Applause broke out as uniformed, flag-carrying Dearborn firefighters marched ahead of a procession of fire trucks and ambulances.
Drips of sticky goo fell onto the sidewalk and Kennedy Stewart's shoes as the 3-year-old enjoyed an ice pop that turned her tongue blue, a color that matched her flag-themed outfit.
"Every year, I get them all decked out in red, white and blue," her mom, Brittany Stewart, 32, of Dearborn said, while smiling.
93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade
Rosie the Riveters march during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Army Nurse Corps Reserve veteran, Mary Husson, of Dearborn, waits to speak at the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
From left, Siham Sahoubah, takes a photograph of her daughters Layla Abdo, 3, Aleena Abdo, 5, and her neighbor Alina Alkusari, 5, all of Ann Arbor, during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
From left, Alina Alkusari, 5, sits next to her neighbors Aleena Abdo, 5, Layla Abdo, 3, and Siham Sahoubah, all of Ann Arbor, during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
A military translator, Ayoub Alasady, of Dearborn, stands with his wife, Wjdan Alasady, left, and his daughter, Rukaya Alasady, during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade on Monday. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
The 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Edsel Ford High School marching band, performs during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
The Grand Marshal and Rear Admiral, June Ryan, waves to attendees along Michigan Avenue during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
From left, Adriana Deep, 9, John Vermeulen, 9, and Said Deep, 7, all of Dearborn, wave during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
A truck with the Rosie the Riveters ride along Michigan Avenue during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
A police officer gives a thumbs-up to children lining the parade route during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Norma Tino, left, waves with her husband and a Navy veteran, Dennis Tino, during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Johnathon Jones, of Inkster, records using his cell phone the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
A past veteran of the year, waves to attendees during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Helmets on a float signify fallen soldiers during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
A clown walks down Michigan during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Attendees line Michigan Avenue during the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Hala Hojeije, and her son, Hussein Bazzoun, 9, both of Dearborn, watch the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Stacey Jones, of Inkster, middle, records the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade next to her husband James Jones. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Marine veteran, Chaster Zarembski, of Detroit, watches the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Vietnam Marine veteran, Charlie Martin, of Dearborn Heights, relaxes after the 93rd Annual Dearborn Memorial Day Parade. Elaine Cromie, Detroit Free Press
Maria and Adam Alfakih, ages 3 and 4, watched the parade waving small American flags.
"It's a family tradition. We come every year," their mother, Kifaya Shami, 37, of Dearborn, said. "The marching bands are always our favorite."
Drum beats floated over the crowd as Christine Berryman, 53, of Dearborn stood near the parade kick-off point waiting for the Divine Child Child High School Falcon Marching band. Her daughter, 18-year-old Mariah, plays the piccolo.
Berryman has been coming to the parade for more than two decades.
"It's just a special day to remember the people who died to make our country free," she said.
Contact staff writer Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski.
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