The turnout was the largest in years for the annual Memorial Day event at the Veterans Memorial in Belleville on May 30.
A big part of the ceremony revolved around the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Polish League of American Veterans. The VFW/PLAV Honor Guard gave the 21-rifle salute. Members also played Taps and prepared the presentations honoring Gerald Bird, BHS class of 1939, and Eddie Baggett, BHS 1942, who both died in World War II and are named on the monument. Members of their families were in the front row of the audience as the detailed stories of their short lives were told.
The ceremony began after the large group of motorcycles rolled in. There was music and short speeches and a reading of names of veterans who have died since last year’s event, each name marked with the tolling of bells. Canton Young Marines took part in leading the event.