Federal holiday Monday is dedicated to fallen veterans
The holiday was first designated on May 30, 1868 as a day to pay tribute to the fallen in the Civil War. By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were taking place on May 30 throughout the nation. States passed proclamations, and the Army and Navy adopted rules for proper observance at their facilities.
In 1968, Congress enacted the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May.
The national Moment of Remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day when a moment of silence is observed by Americans throughout the country.
Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day in that it specifically celebrates the service of all military veterans, while Memorial Day is meant to honor those who died while serving.
To mark the day of remembrance, the Canton Fire Department Honor Guard will be hosting a Memorial Day service beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, May 29. The ceremony 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.
Celebrations also include the Inkster Homecoming weekend beginning May 26 at the Booker T. Dozier Recreation Center, 2025 Middlebelt Road. The four-day event is presented by Inkster Mayor Patrick Wimberly and includes rides, food trucks, games, music and a special veterans ceremony on Monday.
The family-friendly event will be open from noon until 9 p.m. on Friday, May 26; from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday May 27 and Sunday, May 28 and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, Memorial Day.
Northville will celebrate the federal holiday with a parade through downtown May 29.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of Griswold and Cady Street and head west, briefly stopping at Oakwood Cemetery before continuing on to the veterans’ portion of Rural Hill Cemetery for a Memorial Day service honoring those who have given their lives in service of their country.
Plymouth will celebrate the holiday beginning at 9:15 a.m. Monday, May 29 with a tribute to veterans at the Plymouth Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of Main and Church streets in downtown Plymouth.
The Master of Ceremonies will be Lt. Colonel Krista McKinley, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired). McKinley is a 1992 U.S. Naval Academy graduate who was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the USMC. She was one of the first women to serve onboard a U.S. naval ship, and also one of the first women to earn her wings as a military parachutist and airborne rigger.
Guest speaker will be Major Joseph Tebor, U.S. Army (Retired). Tebor is the commander-elect for Plymouth VFW Post #6695. He began his military career in 1970 when he was commissioned a second lieutenant after graduating from Western Michigan University. During the Vietnam war, he worked various facets of military intelligence. After Vietnam, Tebor served in a variety of military leadership positions. Following the ceremony, there will be a police-escorted vehicle procession of vehicles carrying local veterans along with families and friends through the City of Plymouth.
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| Members of the Plymouth-Canton Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 558, the only congressionally chartered veterans organization dedicated to those who served in Vietnam and their families, will march in local parades set for Monday. Members of the group are those who served in the armed forces on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam between Feb. 28, 1961 and May 22, 1975. |
All municipal offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, as will banks, and there will be no mail delivery on the federal holiday.
