JADE HEASLEY/The Luminary - The American Legion Bower-Decker Post #251 held a parade and ceremony in Montgomery on Memorial Day.  The Post's Firing Squad fired three shots to salute the members of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice.  The ceremony also included speeches, prayers, laying a wreath on the military memorial, and the high school band playing Taps and the National Anthem.

On Monday, May 31, Montgomery observed Memorial Day with the traditional parade followed by a solemn service at Montgomery Park. The event is organized by the American Legion Bower-Decker Post #251. The post is named after Freeman Bower, the first person from Montgomery to die in World War I, and Aaron Decker, the first person from Montgomery to die in World War II.

The parade featured members of the American Legion Bower-Decker Post #251, The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, first responders driving emergency vehicles from Montgomery and Clinton Township, and the Montgomery Area High School Marching Band who played a medley of anthems from the American Armed Forces.

The ceremony was emceed by Glenn Crossley, the Commander of the Bower-Decker Post. He shared stories of American soldiers who died valiantly while defending our country. Colleen Johns, head of the Ladies Auxiliary presented awards to three students. A wreath was laid at the War Memorial by members of the Ladies Auxiliary, and the American Legion Firing Squad fired three shots in a salute to the dead. The Montgomery Area High School Band then played taps as well as the National Anthem to close the ceremony.

Poppies were given out, and the American Legion extended an invitation for members of the community to go back to their post for lunch.

The Memorial Day Service in Montgomery has remained largely unchanged throughout the past few decades. It’s a day for the community to come together and honor the two and half centuries of brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others.