Memorial Day, time to remember and honor

For some, Memorial Day signifies the start of summer. Time for barbeques, family time, and warm weather. For others it is a day to remember, respect, and reflect as we honor fallen heroes. Memorial Day is a time to pay tribute to the veterans who gave their lives for our freedom, and Macomb County does this in a variety of ways ...

Parades are a great way to get outside and spend time with family during Memorial Day weekend. Look out for these parades traveling throughout Macomb County:

• The St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade. Taking place May 24^th at 1pm, the parade features jeeps, floats, businesses, and local queens and veterans as they all make their way down Harper Avenue.

• The 47^thAnnual Sterling Heights Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade. Monday, May 25^th at 9 a.m. the day begins with a solemn ceremony to pay tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty. Directly after that at 10 a.m. a beautiful parade will pull down Dodge Park Road with participants like Rosie the Riveters, a Grand Marshall, local bands, and more!

The Friday before Memorial Day (May 22^nd) is National Poppy Day. The poppy is a symbol of remembrance, honor, and sacrifice. Wearing a poppy is a subtle form of showing your gratitude towards the fallen, while wearing red, white, and blue is the traditional route.

Visiting memorials or cemeteries and placing flowers at fallen veterans' graves is another way to pay respect. Many graves may go unattended during this time and simply taking a moment to observe them is a way to show appreciation. By visiting your local flower shops to grab the beautiful florals, you are supporting your community and honoring those we've lost at the same time.

Observing the National Moment of Remembrance is a simple form of paying respect. This moment occurs at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day and is taken around the nation. Spending one whole minute in silence, reflecting and remembering, unifies the nation in immense gratitude for our fallen heroes.

Memorial Day can bring back many memories, some joyful and some somber. Leaning on family and friends during this time is significant and talking about shared memories, even more so.

We recommend taking time to pay tribute to the men and women who lost their lives for our country. Whether that is by attending the listed parades or simply placing flowers by a grave, taking a moment to remember and honor is paramount.