Normally, when Bob Davis addresses an audience, it’s during an Oxford Village Council meeting in his familiar capacity as the municipality’s attorney.

But when he steps up to the podium on Memorial Day, he won’t be speaking as a seasoned barrister, he’ll be addressing the crowd as a proud veteran.

Davis, who served in the United States Coast Guard from 1981-87, will be the guest speaker at this year’s ceremony in downtown’s Centennial Park on Monday, May 29.

The event begins at 10 a.m.

To Davis, it’s unfortunate that so many folks view Memorial Day as simply the three-day weekend that kicks off a summer season full of barbecues, boating and beaches.

“That’s not the way it’s supposed to be,” he said. “Memorial Day is a day to remember those who acted for us, not the talkers, not the politicians. Real people who sacrificed.”

Davis is a strong believer in the Latin motto “acta non verba,” which means “actions, not words.”

“I’ve always tried to live like that,” he said.

He entered the Coast Guard following his 1981 graduation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

Davis spent three years of his service putting his skills to use for the National Narcotics Border Interdiction System.

He helped prevent the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. off the coast of Florida. His specialty was being able to identify the hiding spots on boats, such as false walls and cabinets, used by drug smugglers to conceal their contraband.

“I’d go on boats and know where something was out of whack,” said Davis, who studied things like naval architecture and ship design at the academy.

Following his time in Miami, Davis was transferred to Detroit, where he served as the port operations officer in charge of responding to incidents involving oil pollution.

“That’s how I began my environmental career,” he said.

Davis has been practicing law since 1986 and during that time, half of his clients and cases have “always” involved environmental issues. His office is located in Mt. Clemens.

Looking back at his days in the Merchant Marine Academy and Coast Guard, Davis said he’s grateful to the military for providing him “with a sense of discipline and a very bright line between right and wrong.”

He sincerely hopes folks will “take a minute” this Memorial Day to honor those who have served, those who are serving and those who will serve this country.

“You should thank all three,” Davis said. “These people are out there acting for (you). They’re acting on your behalf. That’s what people should think about it.”

The Memorial Day ceremony in Centennial Park will include speeches, the laying of wreaths and the placing of dog tags on white crosses representing all the sons of Oxford who were killed in conflicts ranging from the Civil War to the Vietnam War.

Following the ceremony, the Memorial Day parade will take place along S. Washington (M-24) and W. Burdick streets.

The parade will end at Ridgelawn Memorial Cemetery located on the north side of W. Burdick St., just west of the Polly Ann Trail.

The cemetery ceremony will include prayers, the placement of a wreath, the playing of “Taps” and a 21-gun salute.