Boat parade, flyover in South Haven, Michigan, honor veterans

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) — The South Haven community gathered Saturday to honor veterans with a boat parade, a flyover and more.

The Salute to Veterans Boat Parade, hosted by Operation Injured Soldiers and South Haven Steelheaders, kicked off at noon. Onlookers gathered along the piers to watch, waving American flags.

“We came out first thing this morning,” Allegan resident Ron Kerkstra told News 8. “And if you saw the lead boat, we decorated that lead boat. It was fun.”

The boat parade, now in its 12th year, was preceded by a fishing expedition for veterans. The festivities also included band performances, a gun salute and a rendition of Taps.

Though the parade was originally set for earlier this month, it had to be postponed because of the weather. Ron and Deb Kerkstra said they were pleasantly surprised by Saturday’s turnout.

“We want to do anything we can for our veterans. I think they’re greatly underappreciated,” Deb Kerkstra said. “But now, seeing today how many people came out — it was fantastic. It did my heart good.”

The Kerkstras told News 8 this was their first year participating in the Salute to Veterans Boat Parade, but it certainly won’t be their last.

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