Politics & Government

Memorial Day Celebrations in Trenton Promise to Enrich, Entertain

The Trenton Memorial Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. and will be followed by the unveiling of a veterans memorial at the Trenton library.

This Saturday's Memorial Day celebration is set to be, far and away, one of Trenton’s most memorable.

The day is set to kick off with a parade beginning at 10 a.m. and will include color guards, veterans, community groups, bands and floats.

Immediately following the parade is a dedication ceremony for a newly finished at honoring those veterans who died while serving in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

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The long-awaited monument ceremony will include:

  • The unveiling of six granite monuments with the names of soldiers who lost their lives in different American wars.
  • The unveiling of a granite memorial stone engraved with the prisoner of war and missing in action emblem.
  • Ronald F. Sams, retired inspector general of the U.S. Air Force, will preside over the unveiling of the monuments and read the names of Trenton’s fallen veterans.
  • A flyover by the U.S. Air Force.
  • Patriotic music.
  • Military salutes.
  • Special guests.

Residents of Trenton and friends and family of Trenton veterans, from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Montana and Ontario, Canada, are said to be attending the day’s festivities.

Find out what's happening in Trenton Grosse Ilewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to John Claven, chairman of the Trenton War Monuments Committee, 30 family members of Trenton veterans will also be marching in the parade.

“Several family members have mentioned this is the first time their loved one has been honored and recognized for their ultimate sacrifice,” Craven said. “They are not only appreciative, but very excited to witness the unveiling of the USA mahogany granite monuments that have the names of their loved ones engraved on them.”

Lt. Gen. Ronald F. Sams

According to Claven, Lt. Gen.  Sams currently lives in Montgomery, Ala., with his wife Diane and is a former Trenton resident.

  • He graduated from in 1967.
  • He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the ROTC program at Michigan State University in 1972.
  • He earned his wings at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma.
  • He ranked as a command pilot logging approximately 4,700 hours in aircraft ranging from T-35 to F-15 and F-16.
  • After 37 years, Lt. Gen.  Sams retired from the United States Air Force on Aug. 1, 2009, as inspector general of the Air Force.
  • He is a veteran of the following operations: Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom.
  • He was awarded the following medals and awards in order of priority: Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star.


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