A World War II veteran, Krueger, 88, usually participates in the parade in a restored Model A Ford driven by her son, Mick. This year, she'll have a front-row seat, so to speak, as she tools down the parade route in a convertible at the front of the procession as honorary parade marshal.

She is the first woman ever to be named marshal of the Monroe parade. This time, Krueger's son will join her in the front.

"Why not?" says Dan Burchfield, chairman of the parade committee and commander of VFW Post 1138. "The women served just as much as the men did."

Krueger served for 18 months in the Women's Army Corps from 1945 until she was discharged in October 1946 from Camp Beale in California with the rank of corporal.

Krueger and her four brothers — Palmer, Merlin, Orville and Carl, were all serving the country at the same time. As a tribute to her enlisted children, Krueger's mother, Elsie Au, kept a five-star flag in the front window of her Monroe home.

Krueger has called Lutheran Home Monroe her home since March 2010. Her youngest brother, Carl, also lives at Lutheran Home Monroe. Wounded twice, he was part of General Patton's 94th Division of the Third Army.

Lutheran Home Monroe offers long- and short-term care for seniors and those who need a place for rehab services.

"We are thrilled and excited for Delores to have this honor as marshal," says Gary Buckner, administrator of Lutheran Home Monroe.

For nearly 120 years, Lutheran Homes of Michigan has been providing services to seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. Grounded in faith and dedicated to helping those we serve to embrace an aging enriched experience, Lutheran Homes of Michigan champions dignity and self-respect at every stage of life. Headquartered in Frankenmuth, LHM provides a broad range of in-home services, as well as in nearly 850 independent, rehabilitation, assisted living and skilled care residences across Michigan with the help of more than 1,000 employees. Each year, LHM services touch more than 4,000 seniors, clients, caregivers and family members. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) Christ-centered agency, LHM is one of Michigan's largest nonprofit providers of senior services with ministry sites and partners across the state.