By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
One of the longest traditions in the City of Wyoming has been the annual Memorial Day ceremony to honor the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the U.S. military.
Even with the current COVID-19 pandemic and the governor’s extended Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the city plans to continue that tradition, according to staff. The event is just going to be a little different.
The annual ceremony, usually at the City of Wyoming’s Veterans Memorial Garden, has been cancelled. Instead, city leaders and staff are working to put together a prerecorded mashup video with members from the city singing.
“As home to the Michigan Army National Guard Grand Valley Guard Armory, the American Legion Roger B. Chaffee Post, with many of our residents having served in the military, the City of Wyoming has a long tradition of holding Memorial Day as an important day of remembrance,” stated Mayor Jack Poll. “It is important for our community to come together to honor the sacrifices of our blue star families.”
The video is scheduled to be posted on the City of Wyoming’s Facebook page around Memorial Day weekend and make sure to check out the WKTV Journal page, which will be featuring the video all day Memorial Day.
This year, Memorial Day is May 25. Memorial day, usually observed on the last Monday in May, originally honored those who were lost during the fighting of the Civil War. it has evolved over the years to include all American military personal who died in any of the wars. Most communities, such as the City of Wyoming, have marked the day with special parades and ceremonies.
Memorial Day weekend is usually the official start of summer as it is a three-day weekend for most people. However, this year, with the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order extended to May 28 – the Thursday after Memorial Day – most people probably will be celebrating at home.
