Memorial Day events in Shelby to feature parade, cemetery ceremony
By David Jacobs
Plans for Shelby's Memorial Day observances are in place, highlighted by the annual parade followed by a special ceremony at Oakland Cemetery
Here are some details via commander Ralph Rosinsky of American Legion, O'Brien Post 326, and event coordinator Linda Fichter, who serves as the Shelby Memorial Day Association chairwoman.
-- parade participants start lining up at 9 a.m. Monday, May 26 along Wentz Avenue at Main Street. Taking part in the parade is free.
"Anyone who wishes to be in the parade, show up, and the parade marshals will get you in line," Fichter said.
-- The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. and heads through downtown and to historic Oakland Cemetery. The Shelby Boy Scouts will lead the parade, which is to include participants such as the Shelby Whippet Band
-- At the cemetery, a special program to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice is set for 11 a.m. The event also honors veterans who have passed away since the 2024 Memorial Day ceremony and who are buried in a Shelby area cemetery, Fichter wrote via Facebook post.
"I have a person who will read all of the veterans' names, and I have 21 people who will place wreaths," Fichter said in the interview, and representing various eras of the U.S. military.
"I also have Boys State and Girls State who are going to be there," Fichter said, noting that they will conduct special readings.
At Oakland Cemetery, an honor guard will be on hand and will fire a volley of shots totaling 21 as a salute from their rifles. (Mr. Rosinsky said this is not a 21-gun salute). Fichter noted participation from others, including the American Legion Auxiliary of Shelby and the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Shelby City Hall leadership previewed the event at their most recent meeting.
"This is a special time of year where we stop to reflect on those who've given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom," said Shelby City Councilman Nathan Martin, a veteran and commander of the Ralph Phillips VFW Post 291 in Shelby.
"And it's not just for baseball and hot dogs and picnics and stuff like that, although all that's fine," he said later. "But it is certainly to remember those who gave everything they possibly could by the way of their life for our country."
Shelby City Councilman at-large Steve McLaughlin, also a veteran, delivered remarks, too.
"In Shelby's history from the Civil War up to the most recent war on terror, we've had 96 Shelby residents that have given the ultimate sacrifice," McLaughlin said.
In 2024, McLaughlin finalized efforts -- started in late 2023 by then-retiring Shelby City Councilman Garland Gates -- for Shelby to be a Purple Heart City.
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag also highlighted the upcoming Memorial Day events.
"We usually have a good number of folks lining the sidewalks, and we'd like to see just as good of a number out at the Oakland Cemetery for the service out there," he said.
