Meridian Township carries on the tradition of honoring and paying respect to those who have served in the military. A Memorial Day Service will be held on Monday, May 30 at 11:00 am at the Glendale Cemetery.

During the ceremony, the Meridian Community Band will be providing musical tribute selections, Scouts BSA Troop 164G, 125 and 141 will lead the Color Guard and a special presentation will be provided by Vietnam Veteran Ron Springer.

“We seem to go about our busy lives trying to fit as many things as possible into the day. We have loved ones to care for, homes to manage, work to attend to, but we must never forget those who have served,” stated Meridian Township Clerk Deborah Guthrie. “We must take the time to appreciate the freedom we have in our daily lives. That freedom comes with a price, and we must remember to honor those who have died in the military, fighting for our freedom.”

For additional information, contact the Meridian Township Clerk’s Office at 517.853.4300.

Guest Speaker Bio: 

Ron Springer 

Ron Springer served entered the US Army in May of 1969 and served until March 1971. He served in Vietnam as a Squad Leader, acting Platoon Sergeant and acting Platoon Leader with the 101^st Airborne Division. Ron is an East Lansing native and a past President of the East Lansing Historical Society as well as a past President of the Michigan Chapter of the 101^st Airborne Division Association. Following Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Ron received a Certificate of Appreciation from the American Red Cross for his assistance to families with family members serving in the combat zone. In 2001, Ron received the Distinguished Civilian Award from the MSU Army R.O.T.C. program for his volunteering and assistance to the program. In 2018, Ron received the Distinguished Civilian Medal from the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for his work with the Buddy to Buddy Volunteer Veteran organization. Since 2003, Ron has assisted Gold Star Families of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a past member of the Lansing Veterans Day Commission and the Lansing Memorial Day Parade Committee, having served as Parade Announcer and Master of Ceremonies. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, The Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge. 

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Event Day Program:

• Pre-Ceremony Music - Meridian Community Band
  • United Nations March by Karl King
  • A Nation’s Prayer by Warren & Steffe, arr. Ployhar
  • Coast Guards March by Karl King
• Welcome - Deborah Guthrie, Meridian Township Clerk
• Presentation of Colors – Scouts BSA Troop 164G, 125 and 141
• National Anthem - Meridian Community Band
  • Star Spangled Banner by Smith & Key
• Pledge of Allegiance - Color Guard
• Guest Speaker - Ron Springer, Vietnam Veteran
• Ceremony Music – Meridian Community Band
  • God Bless America by Irving Berlin (audience sing-along)
  • America’s Armed Forces, arr. Madden (audience requested to stand for their service song)
    • The Cassion Song – U.S. Army
    • Wild Blue Yonder – U.S. Air Force
    • Anchors Away – U.S. Navy
    • Semper Paratus – U.S. Coast Guard
    • Marine Corps Hymn – U.S. Marines
• Benediction- Chaplain Trevor Sutton, St. Luke Lutheran Church
• Taps - Mike Scholes & Emmet Lewis - Meridian Community Band
• Colors Retired - Scouts BSA Troop 164G, 125 and 141
• Amazing Grace by John Newton
  • Terry Carroll – Bag Pipes
• Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa - Meridian Community Band