May 27, 2024: Memorial Day

WHEREAS, the Civil War had claimed more lives than any other conflict in the United States history and required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries; and,

WHEREAS, in the late 1860s following the Civil War, Americans began to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and recited prayers in remembrance of their fallen loved ones; and,

WHEREAS, a proclamation was issued by General John A Logan that Decoration Day was to be observed annually with the first official day of recognition to be observed on May 30, 1868; and,

WHEREAS, after World War II, Decoration Day evolved to honor fallen heroes who died in any American war; and,

WHEREAS, in 1971, Decoration Day became officially known as Memorial Day, which was to be commemorated on the last Monday in May as a national holiday; and,

WHEREAS, Our freedom and success would not be possible without the brave soldiers who served in our armed forces and lost their lives to defend our state and nation; and, 

WHEREAS, we must remember and honor the countless individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our state and nation, as well as express our appreciation and thanks to the families and loved ones of those we lost; and, 

WHEREAS, the National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a moment of silence to memorialize those who have died while serving our nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 27, 2024, as Memorial Day in Michigan.