LOCKPORT – Edward M. Kolek, a World War II bomber pilot who served 39 1/2 years in the Air Force Reserve after the war, will be the honorary grand marshal of Lockport’s Memorial Day parade, to be held May 25.
Kolek, 92, who retired as a lieutenant colonel, flew 47 missions over Nazi-occupied Europe from July 1944 until Germany surrendered in May 1945. He recently received the Legion of Honor from the French government.
The parade, which will step off at 1 p.m. from Veterans park on East Avenue, will end at the County Courthouse. It is the last item on a full day’s agenda of Memorial Day events, including wreath-laying at eight different locations between 8:25 and 10 a.m. and a brief service at 11 a.m. in Cold Spring Cemetery.
Douglas Haak of the American Legion is the parade chairman.
Kolek, 92, who retired as a lieutenant colonel, flew 47 missions over Nazi-occupied Europe from July 1944 until Germany surrendered in May 1945. He recently received the Legion of Honor from the French government.
The parade, which will step off at 1 p.m. from Veterans park on East Avenue, will end at the County Courthouse. It is the last item on a full day’s agenda of Memorial Day events, including wreath-laying at eight different locations between 8:25 and 10 a.m. and a brief service at 11 a.m. in Cold Spring Cemetery.
Douglas Haak of the American Legion is the parade chairman.