«People you don’t know that you would die for them, that you would gain this brotherhood, but after the service you go your own way, » he said. «I’m proud to be American.»
BURTON, MI — Barb and Doug Tennant were joined by their children and one parent along the parade route Monday afternoon in Burton.
Photos of their three children and Duane Tennant, Doug’s father and U. S. Navy Air Corps veteran who died in 1994, were attached to wooden sticks and stuck in the grass off Center Road as veterans streamed on their way to Burton City Hall where a ceremony took place at the Veterans Memorial Wall.
«My father, he was all about the service, » said Doug Tennant, a U. S. Air Force veteran. «He had four other brothers. They all fought in World War II together. It was a proud family of service.»
Joanne Outen, 85, watched the Memorial Day parade from her front porch along Center Road near Bristol Road, with American flags lining her garden and a large one hanging from the garage at the rear of the home.
«It’s just wonderful to see the people to come out and remember what it’s for, » she said, with her late husband Willie having served in the U. S. Army and a cousin that died in World War II. «Memorial Day is (for) those that gave their life for us to have a free country and to have freedom to preach our religion.»
Speaking with one of his sons who served six tours of duty including Afghanistan and Iraq, Doug Tennant was asked to look out the window of the family’s Burton home.
«Look at the garden. The garden is not too far from Center Road, » uttered the son. «I had mortars falling that close to me. It’s hard to be over here, you know. I know what you mean son.»
For Doug Tennant, serving in the armed forces gave him a chance to serve his country but also meet people from across the country that were willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
«People you don’t know that you would die for them, that you would gain this brotherhood, » he said. «I’m proud to be American.»
