Memorial Day Parade of Heroes returns to Rochester area May 29

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — The second annual Memorial Day Parade of Heroes will honor the fallen veterans of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township May 29 this year.

Rochester Hills City Councilman David Walker said the Rochester area has had a long-standing tradition of hosting a parade on Memorial Day.

“We had a Memorial Day parade for many years in the ’80s and ’90s and early 2000s, and it was John and Mary Modetz that were kind of the champions behind it. It went on for many years, but as anything goes, time goes on, and the Modetz weren’t able to maintain that, so they stopped that parade a few years ago,” he said. “There was, obviously, some passion in the community to reinvigorate that event.”

Rochester City Council member Mark Albrecht said a committee of elected officials and residents from Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township resurrected the parade last year.

“The parade sort of fell by the wayside several years ago, so we formed a committee last year and had our first Memorial Day parade in several years,” said Albrecht, who also serves as chair of the Memorial Day Parade of Heroes committee.

This year’s parade will kick off at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at Van Hoosen Middle School and march north on Adams to the Veterans Tribute of Oakland Township for a closing ceremony honoring fallen veterans.

“We can never forget those people who have given their lives for our country, so we urge you to either participate by marching in the parade, pulling up a lawn chair along Adams Road that day, or if you have a business, sponsoring the parade,” Albrecht said.

Prior to the parade, the city of Rochester will host a Memorial Day event at 8 a.m. at Mount Avon Cemetery, 400 Sixth St. The city of Rochester Hills will host a Memorial Day ceremony at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Pointe, 1015 S. Livernois Road.

This year’s parade includes opportunities for participants of all ages to join in the march for free.

“We want to double the size of the parade from last year, so parade participant applications are welcome,” Albrecht said. “We’re encouraging children to get involved this year with decorated bikes.”

“People in the parade can also carry a photo of their loved one or someone in their family who has given their life for this country,” added Rochester City Council member Marilyn Trent.

Initial plans also include veterans and vintage military vehicles, local high school marching bands, police and fire personnel and equipment, youth scouting groups, and many others.

Parade participation forms, which must be turned in by May 16, can be found online at www.rrc-mi.com or by calling (248) 651-6700.

Last year, Albrecht said the parade route was lined with people from all three communities, and he anticipates a larger turnout this Memorial Day.

“Last year we passed out over 300 flags going down the parade route. … This year we ordered 500 to pass out,” Albrecht said.

Vito Pampalona, a Vietnam War veteran and the owner of Vito Anthony Homes, has once again stepped up as the presenting sponsor of this event.

“I am proud to again be the Presenting Sponsor for the Memorial Day Parade of Heroes event. A day we must never forget,” Pampalona said in a statement.

The Rochester Regional Chamber Foundation facilitates the parade on behalf of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township, and with the support of the Veterans Tribute of Oakland Township.

“We’re hopeful we can continue to maintain what we believe is a very important (event) … so we can take a moment, pause and remember those that have died for our freedoms (and) democracy,” Walker said.

Additional sponsorships are available at a variety of levels, ranging from $250 to $1,000. For more information, visit www.rrc-mi.com or call (248) 651-6700.