Memorial Day: How Green Porch Lights Honor Michigan’s Vets

Memorial Day Weekend—it's Michigan's "Unofficial Kickoff of Summer." We get a three-day weekend and deals on mattresses, right? While all of that is true, the real reason the last Monday in May is considered a federal holiday is so we as a nation can, in some small way, acknowledge the ultimate sacrifices made by the men and women of the United States Military in the name of freedom.

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Some families light off fireworks, others may have a barbecue, but there are those who show their support for veterans with a green porch light.

The Origin of the Green Porch Light Movement

LightBulb.com reports that Walmart started the green porch light movement in 2011, when it was leading the charge to employ a quarter of a million former service members. The retail giant then launched a new campaign on Memorial Day of 2013, asking customers to swap out their traditional porch light for a green one to symbolize their support of veterans.

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Why green? Many military uniforms and camouflage patterns use the color. The campaign 'Greenlight a Veteran' helped the tradition catch on.

More Ways to Honor Veterans This Memorial Day

Attend a parade, anonymously pick up a check for a vet, or take some time over the three-day weekend and either replace your old and worn American Flag, or put one up for the first time.

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If you are replacing an existing one, please do not throw it in the trash. According to Mid-Michigan Waste Authority, you can take your used American Flags to your closest Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall for them to be properly and respectfully disposed of or restored.