GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Memorial Day is often a time many communities commemorate and honor veterans with parades and special events, however this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, some things have changed.
The City of Walker announced its parade will not happen this year, saying the safety of veterans, participants and volunteers should come first.
Grand Rapids has also canceled its Memorial Day parade.
In Newaygo, the "Memorial Day Weekend Celebration" is being postponed to Fourth of July weekend.
How to commemorate Memorial Day in West Michigan:
Despite the pandemic, some communities in West Michigan have gotten creative in order to celebrate veterans today.
In Hamilton, a car parade starts at 8 a.m.
In Walker, instead of the parade, city officials are asking people to send a card to the local veterans home, place a flag on a veterans grave, or simply reach out to a living veteran and express gratitude. The American Legion Post 1111 will hold a virtual ceremony on their Facebook page at 9:30 a.m.
Cascade Township is also putting on a virtual celebration starting at 10 a.m.
Plainfield Township is also hosting a virtual commemoration on their Facebook page. They've already shared a video of Board of Trustee members Bob Horman, Ben Green and Bill Brinkman honor those who've made the ultimate sacrifice.
Zeeland is putting on a virtual Memorial Day Remembrance Service on the Zeeland--Feel the Zeel Facebook page. The program will include an honor guard, a Memorial Day prayer, reading of the Honor Roll, a Memorial Day address, laying of the wreath, gun salute and taps.
In South Haven, veterans did not let COVID-19 deter their plans to pay their respects. This would have been Medal of Honor Recipient James (Jim) McCloughan 50th year of leading the South Haven Memorial Day parade. Although it was canceled, McCloughan still made the mile-long march from downtown to Lakeview Cemetery. He was joined by American Legion post 49's Honor Guard and veterans, who gathered respecting social distancing guidelines.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Friday that the stay at home order which was enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19 will remain in place until June 12 at 11:59 p.m.; it was set to expire on May 28.
The renewed stay at home order means places of public accommodation will remain closed, like movie theaters, gyms and casinos.
"While the data shows that we are making progress, we are not out of the woods yet," Whitmer said.
►Check back on this story as more communities announce their Memorial Day plans and cancellations.
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