World Trade Center Beam, 'Rudy' Featured In St. Clair Shroes Memorial Day Parade
By Edward Cardenas
ST. CLAIR SHORES (CBS Detroit) - The 63rd St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade will the celebrate the community, honor those who have served and recognize the American spirit of overcoming challenges.
The parade, which steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday on Jefferson at Nine Mile, will feature nearly 140 entries ranging from veterans groups and military vehicles to school groups and scouts.
This year, the organizers are including a five-foot steel beam from the World Trade Center which will be travel north along the two-mile parade route with the St. Clair Shore Fire Department.
"It is important because it is actually a piece of history that reminds us what became the War on Terror," said Cheryl Furdos, chair person for the parade.
There will also be a taste of Hollywood, via South Bend, as Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger - whose story of determination to play for the University of Notre Dame football team was made into the 1993 movie "Rudy" - will take part in the parade.
"He went against all odds and succeeded," said Furdos.
His story is representational of the American spirit, and the theme of the parade, "we can overcome, we can do this and America keeps on going," she added.
Prior to the parade the World Trade Center beam will be on display from noon - 4 p.m. Saturday at the St. Clair Shores Fire Department, 26700 Harper Ave.
There will also be a meet and greet with Ruettiger at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Fishbones, 23722 Jefferson Ave.
Prior to the parade Sunday, the VFW Bruce Post 1146 will host a memorial service at 9 a.m. in Veterans Memorial Park on Jefferson at Masonic. That will be followed by the 5K Sailing Thru the Shores run at noon.
"It is going to be an exciting day," Furdos added.