Memorial Day

NORTHVILLIANS,

Monday (Memorial Day) is the day Northvillians, and all Americans, pause to remember the men and women who have given their lives in defense of our freedoms.  Communities around the nation will hold parades and will have solemn ceremonies.  Locally, we will gather at 11:00 AM at our Veterans Memorial area of Rural Hill Cemetery on 7 Mile & Rogers. As you may know, the tradition of Memorial Day dates back to 1868 when it was named Decoration Day.  We continue to be the land of the free because of the brave men and women defending us.  It’s my pleasure and true honor to be part of our VFW memorial gathering.

Let’s take a look at Memorial Day activities in Northville through the years …

• LOOKING BACK TO 1918, the Northville Record published a story on Northvillian Lloyd Green, who paid the ultimate price for our liberty and humanity. His final resting place is in the center of Rural Hill’s Veterans Memorial section. Our VFW Post is named in his honor.
• THE MEMORIAL DAY GATHERING AT RURAL HILL – Growing up, this was the most important part of the weekend for our family.  On this day, I played in the Marching Band and had the honor of performing “Taps.”  My mother was actually born on the actual Armistice Day (the end of WWI, November 11, 1918).  A framed copy of the original Detroit Free Press hung in our home, with the headline “Truce Ends War” on the 11-month, 11th day & 11th hour, signed on the 11^th minute.
• VETERANS FROM ALL WARS – Our town has had veterans from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the Spanish American War, along with all the modern-era conflicts.

• CLOSE TO HOME – In WWII, my father was a Proud Marine (is there any other kind?) and my mother was a “Rosie the Riveter” at the Willow Run B-24 Liberator plant, which was part of the “Arsenal of Democracy”. One of my brothers also served during the Vietnam conflict.
• THE NORTHVILLE BANNER PROGRAM by the Chamber of Commerce is an outstanding tribute to those who have defended our freedoms. Slow down as you stroll around town to take note of the names and faces on the banners.
• THANK YOU, VFW POST – We in the Northville community are truly indebted to the entire VFW Post for putting together the annual Memorial Day activity, for placing flags on all our fallen heroes’ gravesites each year and for the maintenance they provide for the Veteran-portion of the Rural Hill Cemetery.  Claude Ely (1st Mayor of Northville) dedicated this area in Rural Hill Cemetery in 1952.  For almost 70 years, we in this community have gathered here to honor those that sacrificed for all of us.

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, slow down to thank a veteran every chance you get for the freedoms that we all have in this country today.  Let’s continue to spread HOPE for a better tomorrow. 

Keep that Northville Faith & Let’s move forward together… Happy Memorial Day!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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