Blissfield, Deerfield, Palmyra and Riga Offer Memorial Day Activities

    Here is a local roundup of local activities and events scheduled for Memorial Day, May 31:
Blissfield
    The parade will begin in downtown Blissfield at approximately 11 a.m. Those participating in the parade should line up at the library at 10:30 a.m.
    Music will be provided by the Blissfield High School Marching Band and Scott Wilson of Ann Arbor Pipe & Drums.
    There will be a service at Pleasant View Cemetery. Speaker is Bruce Caswell, former Hillsdale County State Representative. A prayer and salute will be provided by the VFW 10912, American Legion Post 325, Nash Hodges 43-4th Michigan Infantry Re-enactors and military re-enactors of various periods.
    There will be a chicken barbecue at the Blissfield American Legion beginning at 11 a.m.  The public is invited to attend.
Deerfield
    The Memorial Day Program at Deerfield will begin at the Legion Home at 8:30 a.m. with a 9 a.m. service at St. Alphonsus Cemetery that includes the Deerfield High School band. There will be a memorial service, a salute to the dead by the American Legion Post 392 firing squad and the playing of “Taps.” People will reassemble at 9:30 a.m. at the four corners of Keegan and Carey streets and march to the bridge on the south end of town where the high school band will play and there will flowers cast upon the water by the American Legion Auxiliary and a salute to those lost at sea. From there the assembly will march to the Legion Home with an address and the placing of wreaths by the American Legion and Auxiliary and salute to the dead. The assembly will move to the Deerfield Township Cemetery for placing of wreaths on the tomb of the unknown soldier and an address.
Palmyra
    The day will begin in Palmyra with a pancake and sausage breakfast hosted by the Palmyra Fire Association. The breakfast runs from 7-11 a.m. and cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children under age 12. Veterans eat free. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the fire department.
    At 9 a.m., the Palmyra Memorial Day Parade will run through town beginning at the Palmyra Presbyterian Church. The parade will stop at the U.S. 223 bridge and then move to the cemetery before ending at the community building.
    Children are invited to participate in the parade, with prizes going to those riding bicycles. Any child age 15 or younger will receive $5 for participating, with bikes decorated the most patriotically receiving $40 for first place, $25 for second and $15 for third.
    There also is a first, second and third prize for the most patriotic float, which is open to all ages. All bike riders 15 and under will receive $5.
    Prizes will be awarded in the Community Building after the parade.
Riga
    The Riga Township Memorial Day Program will begin at 2 p.m. at Riga Cemetery off Cemetery Road. In the case of inclement weather, the program will be moved to the Riga Municipal Building.
    The Blissfield High School band will perform. Also performing is Scott Wilson of Ann Arbor Pipes and Drums.
    Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address will be read by Clarissa Dumoulin, daughter of Jim and Elizabeth Dumoulin. Blissfield Baptist Church pastor Tom Frantz is the guest speaker, with prayers and salute from Blissfield VFW Post 10912, the Nash Hodges 43-4th Michigan Infantry Re-enactors, and other military re-enactors.
    The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Robert Knoblauch at 486-3713.