MARTIN, Mich. — The village of Martin held its annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday morning, bringing the community and visitors together to honor veterans and fallen heroes. Hundreds lined the streets of downtown Martin to watch the procession, which remains a cherished tradition in the area.
Despite facing significant challenges just days earlier, when an EF1 tornado tore through the region late on May 16, the village prioritized the parade, underscoring its importance to residents. The storm caused widespread damage along 114th Avenue and 16th Street and left much of the village covered in debris.
“A week ago, you could not even see down this street,” said Martin resident Kevin Dekoekkoek. “Every tree was lined with brush and materials. I thought there was no way we’d get power for days and days. You either step up or step back, and this community steps up every time.”
Veterans and families traveled from nearby communities to take part in the event. Kim Stevens, a Martin resident and Army veteran, expressed the village’s deep appreciation for those who served. “We love our vets, and we make a big deal on Memorial Day for them,” she said.
Mark Heather, a Marine Corps veteran from Allegan, has made the trip to Martin every year for nearly two decades. “This wasn’t built without sacrifice,” Heather said. “I was lucky to go through the service and not make the ultimate sacrifice, but so many did, so we can do things like this.”
Heather and his family maintain a tradition of driving in a “train of cars” from Allegan to Martin for the parade. “To me, that’s what America is all about and why I choose to come here every year for this parade,” he added.
State Representative Rachelle Smit, R-Shelbyville, was among the speakers at the event. She praised the community’s resilience and the efforts of local businesses and volunteers who worked swiftly to clean up after the tornado.
“The amount of support that business owners and community people came out and cleaned this up was unbelievable,” Smit said.
Following the parade, attendees gathered at the Geib Veterans Memorial for a tribute ceremony honoring Martin’s active military members, veterans, and fallen heroes. Army Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Martin reflected on the parade’s significance. “This parade has been a part of my life for a long time, so coming home every year is so important,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with the raising of the flag and a final salute, serving as a solemn reminder that those who have fallen will never be forgotten.
