Local communities mark Memorial Day Monday with parades, services
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Many volunteers place an American flag on graves of military personnel in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer in the United States.
Many cities and people have claimed to have first celebrated the event. In 1868, General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic called for a "Decoration Day", which was widely celebrated. By 1890, every Northern state had adopted it as a holiday. The World Wars turned it into a generalized day of remembrance, instead of just for the Civil War. In 1971, Congress standardized the holiday as "Memorial Day" and changed the observance to the last Monday in May.
Most government offices will be closed as will many banks and mail service will be suspended in honor of the day of remembrance. Each year on Memorial Day a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time.
Many local communities plan celebrations and memorials to honor and remember those who have lost their lives in the service of the country.
IN CANTON TOWNSHIP:
The Canton Fire Department Honor Guard will host a Memorial Day service beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, May 30. The event will take place at the Veteran's Memorial Center located in Heritage Park (directly behind the Canton Administration Building), 1150 S. Canton Center Road, in Canton.
Representatives from the United States Marine Corps will be present for a ceremonial wreath posting at the 1st Battalion 24th Marine Division Memorial. A roll call will also take place for the "Fallen 22" Marines who were deployed for duty in 2006-07 to Iraq and made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Marine Corps honor guard will be unveiling the "Corporal Hoffman Bench" in honor of Corporal Josh Hoffman. Corporal Hoffman was wounded in Iraq while deployed with 1/24 Marines and recently succumbed to his injuries. The public is invited to attend the memorial service honoring the Marines and all service members.
IN INKSTER:
The annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at noon in the city this year and honor all veterans and armed service members. The parade will travel down Inkster Road from Cherry Hill to Michigan Avenue.
The parade starting point is the Food Max Parking Lot and the event will end at South River Park Drive.
For more information, contact Tim Williams (734) 748-0302 or Denise Johnson at (313) 498-2531
IN NORTHVILLE;
The City of Northville will mark the Memorial Day holiday with an event at Rural Hill Cemetery beginning at 11 a.m. May 30.
The event will honor veterans of all branches of the armed services. Mayor Brian Turnbull also urged residents to view the banners dedicated to veterans now installed throughout the area.
IN PLYMOUTH:
The traditional Memorial Day Veterans Procession will wind through multiple neighborhoods in the city. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Plymouth Cultural Center, 525 Farmer St. in Plymouth.
Also in Plymouth this year, in honor of Memorial Day, reenactors of the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment will be on the lawn of the Plymouth Historical Museum from 1 until 4 p.m. Sunday, May 29. The reenactors will be in Civil War-era attire, and will pitch a tent or two and display contemporary soldiers' equipment. The Plymouth Historical Museum is also open to the public from 1 until 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 29 and is featuring a special exhibit, "Connecting at the Speed of Life," which continues through June 26.
The Plymouth Historical Museum is located at 155 S. Main St., in downtown Plymouth. Admission to the museum is $7 for adults and $3 for children 6-17 years old. There is no charge to visit with the members of the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment on the museum lawn Sunday.
IN WAYNE AND WESTLAND:
The Westland-Wayne Veterans Memorial Day Parade will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 29. The parade will travel from John Glenn High School to the William Faust Public Library of Westland this year.
Local clubs and groups are urged to join the parade to celebrate and remember the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, along with veterans who have courageously served the country.
A brief tribute ceremony is planned at the Veterans Memorial Garden of Westland, hosted by VFW Post 9885 "Bova" at the end of the parade to pay homage to those fallen men and women who lives were sacrificed.
To participate or for more information visit: https://www.cityofwestland.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=97
The City of Wayne Memorial Day Ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. Monday, May 30 at 3355 South Wayne Road. The event is open to the public.
