MICHIGAN, USA — Monday, May 27 is Memorial Day this year and there are lots of opportunities for West Michigan communities to honor those who have died in service to their country.
When the holiday was first established shortly after the Civil War it was called Decoration Day and was a time when people would lay flowers on the graves of soldiers who died in battle.
In 1971, the holiday was officially designated as Memorial Day and was set to be recognized on the last Monday in May each year.
Here's how West Michigan plans to celebrate the holiday:
Allegan County
- Plainwell Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 11 a.m.
- Saugatuck Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 9 a.m.
- Douglas Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 10:30 a.m.
- Wayland Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 11 a.m.
Barry County
- Gun Lake Memorial Cruise — May 27 at 11 a.m.
- Middleville Lions Club Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Berrien County
- St. Joseph Memorial Day Parade — May 24 at 12 p.m.
Branch County
- Memorial Day Kick-Off Weekend — May 25 at 9 a.m. - May 27 at 1 p.m.
- Union City Memorial Day Parade and Cemetery Service — May 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Calhoun County
- Spring Arbor Township Memorial Day Service and Parade — May 27 at 12 p.m.
Ionia County
- Portland Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony — May 27 at 10 a.m.
Kalamazoo County
- Climax Memorial Day Parade, Festivities — May 27 at 10 a.m.
- Fort Custer National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony — May 26 at 2 p.m.
- Kalamazoo Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 10 a.m.
Kent County
- Grand Rapids Memorial Day Parade — May 25 at 10 a.m.
- Walker Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 12 p.m.
- Cascade Township Memorial Day Ceremony — May 27 at 10 a.m.
- Rockford American Legion Post 102 Ceremony — May 27 at 11 a.m.
- Wyoming Memorial Day Ceremony — May 27 at 7 p.m.
Montcalm County
- Lakeview VFW Post 3701 Memorial Day Cemetery Services and Tractor Show — May 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sheridan Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 11 a.m.
Muskegon County
- Downtown Muskegon Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 9 a.m.
- Mona Shores Bands: An American Salute Concert — May 27 at 10 a.m.
- Fruitport Old Fashioned Days Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 2 p.m.
- Lakeside Memorial Day Ceremony — May 27 at 12 p.m.
- USS Silversides Submarine Museum Lost Boat Ceremony — May 26 at 11 a.m.
Newaygo County
- Fremont Lions Club Memorial Day Ceremony, Pancake Breakfast — May 25 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ottawa County
- Coopersville Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 9:30 a.m.
- Grand Haven Service of Remembrance — May 26 at 6 p.m.
- Grand Haven Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 9:30 a.m.
- Georgetown Township's Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 9:00 a.m.
- Holland Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 9:30 a.m.
- Hudsonville Memorial Day Service — May 27 at 10 a.m.
- Jamestown Charter Township Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 10 a.m.
- Kenowa AMBUCS Memorial Day 5k — May 27 at 8 a.m.
- Marne Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 10 a.m.
- Zeeland Memorial Day Parade — May 27 at 9 a.m.
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