While some spend Memorial Day barbecuing and enjoying the start of the summer vacation season, others visit cemeteries and war memorials.

Memorial Day is officially observed on the last Monday of May and falls on May 31 this year.Traditionally, American flags are flown at half-mast until noon on Memorial Day and each grave site at National Cemeteries is decorated with a flag or wreath, with the acting U.S. President placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. At 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, all U.S. citizens are asked to observe an official moment of remembrance for fallen veterans.

The holiday dates back to 1866, when a “Decoration Day” was observed in Waterloo, N.Y., to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. Memorial Day was observed annually nationwide starting in 1868. The alternate name Memorial Day did not become common until after World War II and became the holiday’s official name by Federal law in 1967. “Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to remember the service and sacrifice of more than one million American servicemen and women who gave their lives to create our nation, to save our Union and to help free the world from tyranny,” said Veterans of Foreign Wars commander Gary Kurpius in a press release.

The nation’s oldest and largest veteran organization, VFW was the first veterans group to organize a nationwide Memorial Day event with its Buddy Poppy program. First started in 1922, the program collects donations in exchange for poppy flowers. Inspired by the poem “In Flander’s Field,” which described poppies blowing across a battlefield, the poppy has since become the official memorial flower of VFW and remains a popular bloom in Memorial Day wreaths and bouquets.

Here are some of the upcoming Memorial Day events in West Michigan area. A schedule of events in Grand Rapids was not confirmed as of press time.

Coopersville

Coopersville’s Memorial Day Parade will kick off on May 31 on Main Street and Eastmanville Street, with an exact start time still to be determined. Proceedings will include a pancake breakfast, pig roast, veteran’s troop train and a memorial service. For more information, call 616-997-5164.

Grand Haven

On Memorial Day weekend, Grand Haven will host the fifth Annual Rib Fest at 20 N First St. to benefit the Ward Goff Scholarship Fund. On May 28, a kick-off party will begin at 3 p.m., with ribs served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and live band performances from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Rib Fest will take place on May 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A live band will perform throughout the festival as well.

On May 31, the Grand Haven Memorial Day Parade will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Washington Street from 6th Street to Waterfront Stadium.

Holland

Holland’s Memorial Day Parade will take place on May 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The parade route travels from 8th Street and River Avenue to Columbia Avenue, then south to 16th Street and east to the Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Pre-parade music will be provided by the American Legion Band.

South Holland will also hold its own parade on May 31. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on South Park Avenue. A remembrance ceremony will follow the parade at 1 p.m. at Veterans Park.

Schools, local businesses, churches and civic groups interested in participating in the South Holland parade may call the South Holland Recreation Office at 616-331-2940.

Jenison

The Jenison Ambucs Memorial Day Run will be held on May 31. To register online for the 5k race, visit http://www.classicrace.com.

Middleville

Middleville’s Memorial Day Parade will begin at McFall Elementary School at 10:30 a.m. on May 31. The route will follow Main Street, crossing M-37, until it reaches Mount Hope Cemetery. A remembrance service will then be held at the cemetery, including speeches honoring veterans.

Walker

The Walker Memorial Day Parade, sponsored by the City of Walker Downtown Development Authority and Keller Ford Kia, will be on May 31 at noon. The parade route will be on Lake Michigan Drive between Lincoln Lawns and St. Clair. Veterans, marching bands, floats, and local organizations will all walk in the parade.

Zeeland

Zeeland will host its Memorial Day Parade starting at 9 a.m. on May 31. The parade route will begin on Main Street at Centennial Street, head west to State Street, turn south through Central Street and then east on Maple Street. A ceremony at Zeeland Cemetery will follow the parade.

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