(STURGIS) – A small but enthusiastic crowd came out Monday for the Sturgis Memorial Day Celebration.

The event, held at Oak Lawn Park, featured a welcome address by Sturgis Mayor Frank Perez, who shared that on Memorial Day, we not only honor those who served and died, but the family members of those lost service men and women. LINKC.

This year’s guest speaker was Brad Ulick, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps and achieved the rank of Sergeant. He was deployed as a peacekeeper to Beirut, Lebanon and survived the attack on the Marine barracks.

Ulick shared how he suffered with grief for many years after the attack, wondering why he survived that incident. He said as he traveled through this dark time, it was the family of a close friend that reached out to him. LINKD.

The Memorial Day Celebration also included the Roll Call Of The Wars, and the laying of wreaths at the symbolic gravesites for those wars. In addition was the Salute To The Wars, honoring those Sturgis residents who served in the United States Armed Forces and have unfortunately passed away. Both were done by the Sturgis VFW Post #1355, with assistance from area Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Sturgis Daughters Of The American Revolution, Amos Chapter.

The audience also heard musical selections from the Sturgis High School Marching Band.