Michigan’s Biggest Little Parade got bigger this year.  Presented by the Clark Lake Lions Club, this event salutes those who fell in battle defending our freedom.  It’s also an opportunity to express love of country, as you will see.  As Memorial Day signals the beginning of the summer season, there’s plenty of that to celebrate, as well.    

First let’s take a look at the fans who gathered along Hyde Road to view the event.  Anyone you know? 

 

The parade featured the Columbia Central Marching Band and the Junior ROTC of ISD Jackson color guard.  This is the 60th anniversary of Raft-O-Rama.  To commemorate it this year, the theme is the 1960s.  So, these gorgeous classic cars you’ll see point to the theme of those hotrod days. 

Each kid who participated in the parade received a two-dollar bill, courtesy of the Clark Lake Lions Club.

 

The video begins with a brief snippet of the parade. It’s followed by the playing of taps at the cemetery during which a fallen soldier is saluted.  Next, Father Tom Helfrich of St. Rita’s offers a prayer.  The procession then moved to the Clark Lake Community Church.  It’s here that Frank Hones, a Vietnam veteran from Clark Lake, delivered the Memorial Day message.  Rounding out the video is the Columbia Central Marching Band with our National Anthem.    

Videos and photos: Rick Belcher  
Thanks to Flip Reynolds for his assistance.