COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – With only a handful of observers in addition to the participants, Memorial Day ceremonies were still held Monday at the “A Gathering of Flags War Memorial” at Oak Grove Cemetery in Coldwater.
The ceremony was broadcast live on AM 1590 and FM 95.5 WTVB, with the entire ceremony now available on the WTVB Facebook page.
A special “Thank You For Your Service Award” was presented posthumously to World War Two veteran Merlon W. Parks. His brother Roscoe and son Larry Parks were on hand to receive the award.
Merlon Parks passed away in 2011 at the age of 88. He was born in Angola, Indiana and served in the U.S. Navy on the USS New Orleans and the USS Kasahan Bay.
Organizers hope the Memorial Day activites can return to their former format next year at the Four Corners Park and Oak Grove Cemetery, along with the return of the Memorial Day parade.