By Charles Sercombe

Veterans Day in Hamtramck is always a mix of solemn remembrance and celebrating the joy of camaraderie.

At PLAV Post 10 last Friday, it was another year to remember those who served and gave their lives for our freedom, and an old-fashioned get-together to raise a toast to each other.

Add in some hotdogs, beans and potato salad, and well it was almost like a picnic.

This year, World War II was still represented. Chester Kristy, a Navy signalman, Roy Kmiecek and John Gadzo, both Army combat engineers, were on hand. They are now in their 80s – if not older — but still celebrate living through one of the greatest threats to our country – and the entire world.

The Veteran of the Year went to Daniel DeLoof, who served in the Coast Guard and then the Army. He participated in Desert Storm, the first Gulf War.

To the men and women who served and are still serving, we salute you.

By Charles Sercombe

Hey, who invited fall weather to Hamtramck’s party?

This weekend’s Labor Day Festival had some of the weirdest weather compared to other years. On Saturday, temperatures hovered around 98 degrees and definitely contributed to a lower turnout during the early hours of the festival.

Sunday was rainy and cloudy.

And then on Monday it was gray and cold.

But the crowds came out despite everything Mother Nature threw at us. It was one heck of a way to celebrate the end of summer.

We decided to do some people-watching on Monday, and so if you can, please excuse the focus on portraits.

By Charles Sercombe

Even cooler weather and gray skies couldn’t put a damper on this year’s Polish Day Parade.

Once again, the colorful display of Polish folk costumes and marching bands entertained the couple thousand onlookers who braved the elements.

The theme of this year’s parade was dedicated to two fallen members of the Polish community: Joe Brzezinski and Jerry Surowiec. Joe Brzezinski was the head of the Hamtramck 31st District Court Probation Department.

Jerry Surowiec was a well-known attorney.

By Charles Sercombe

OK, we have to apologize for not posting yesterday (Sunday).

Seems like the day just sped by. And yes, it did rain hard for a bit but most festivalgoers found shelter and waited out the storm.

After that – wow! – did things heat up. A big crowd-pleaser was Mike Hurtt and his Haunted Hearts, especially when they broke into their newly-recorded single, “Hamtramck Baby.”

I swear, if you are a band and make reference to Hamtramck in your song, it will go over big. Well, at least here.

Tomorrow, we’ll post photos from the Polish Day Parade and more faces and moments from the festival.

By Charles Sercombe

Saturday was the kickoff of the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival.

The sun was hot and fierce with temps hovering above 90. That seemed to keep people away for the first few hours but by 3 o’clock the festival was beginning to fill up, and the beer and drinks began to flow.

If you are reading this before 10 p.m., be sure to head on down to Hamtown. There are still plenty of bands waiting to play and lots of fun rides for the kids.

Can’t make it today? That’s OK, the festival will be here on Sunday and Monday. On Monday, the annual Polish Day Parade steps off at 1:30 p.m.

Look for more photos tomorrow.

Here’s a collection from some of our favorite photos we took during the past few years.

They are in no particular order … enjoy!

By Charles Sercombe

Hot rods, hot babes and cold beer.

Sounds like a perfect combination to us.

And a couple of Saturdays ago, that was the scene at Veterans Memorial Park where the Fifth Annual Hamtramck Hustle pulled up.

This was no ordinary car show. These hunks of steel were customized hot rods, rat rods, or whatever you want to call them.

This year, there were a few dozen more cars to look over. For the most part, the people who own these cars also live the 50s greaser lifestyle. For a few hours, it was great car and people watching.