News Story

While kicking off summer on Memorial Weekend, don’t forget to honor those who gave us freedom to enjoy it

1.3 million residents served from World War I through Vietnam era

Don’t forget to honor Michigan’s fallen soldiers on Memorial Day. While the weekend is now celebrated as the kickoff to summer, it is important to remember why the nation has a three-day weekend: to honor our fallen soldiers.

Michigan Capitol Confidential calls on readers to honor the heroes who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. It is important to not just honor friends and family who may have paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also to remember those we may not have known.

We do this not only to honor those who died in service to this nation, but also to acknowledge grieving family members who may also feel forgotten amid the sun and fun of the extended weekend.

Before Congress officially declared the last Monday of May as Memorial Day, it was first observed as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868. It was a day when loved ones decorated graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags in honor of the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.

Congress declared, in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to establish what is now known as Memorial Day.

Michigan has several memorials throughout the state that residents can visit in honor of our nation’s fallen heroes. Michiganders can visit local cemeteries, which are often decorated by volunteers.

Volunteers in St. Johns take the time to put up dozens of flags that line the drives of the cemetery. Each flag is labeled with the name of a veteran who served country and has passed.

The Veterans Memorial on Lansing’s Capitol lawn honors the 1,399,000 men and women who served, including those who were killed, in World War I, World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The Michigan Korean War Memorial in Saint Joseph honors the 1,492 Michiganders killed in the Korean War.

Eaton Rapids is home to a museum that honors the Grand Army of the Republic of the Civil War.

If Mackinac Island is your destination, remember that it is home to the Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery, which includes soldiers who fought and were killed in service to the nation.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.