In observance of Memorial Day, the City of Morenci offices will be closed on Monday, May 26. Refuse pick-up is delayed to Thursday, May 29, due to the holiday.
The Memorial Day remembrance, led by the Morenci American Legion Post 368, will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Wakefield Park with an opening ceremony featuring a prayer and a 21-gun salute. The parade will then proceed through downtown Morenci, pausing at the Bean Creek bridge for a wreath presentation and another 21-gun salute in honor of Naval Veterans. The procession will conclude at Oak Grove Cemetery, where the final ceremony will take place.
The cemetery service will feature remarks from this year’s guest speaker, Austin See, leader of the Lenawee County Veterans Coalition, an organization dedicated to connecting local veterans with essential resources and support. See is also a United States Marine Corps veteran who served as a 1371 Combat Engineer. The Morenci Area Schools band will participate in the parade and perform during the service at the cemetery.
Children are invited to take part in the parade, and families are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue and decorate bikes, wagons, or strollers. Golf carts are permitted but must be operated by someone 18 years or older. In keeping with the respectful tone of the event, no candy will be thrown during the parade. Parade lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. at Wakefield Park.
Following the ceremony at Oak Grove Cemetery, the City of Morenci will host a public open house to celebrate the completion of the new cemetery chapel. The original chapel was demolished after a severe windstorm in August 2022 caused a large tree to fall on the structure, resulting in irreparable damage. Cemetery Sexton Eric Emmons, Assistant Sexton Christa Davis, and City Administrator Jeff Bell will be on site to welcome visitors and offer building tours. Light refreshments will be served. Click here for more information.
The day concludes with a community chicken BBQ lunch at the Morenci American Legion Post 368.
