This weekend is Memorial Day weekend and there's no better way to honor those who served in the U.S. military then highlighting some of Lansing's Hometown Heroes.

Thursday, the city will honor individuals who live or have lived in the Lansing area and served in the armed forces.

Mayor Patty Eidam is a veteran herself and told the Times that she got the idea to honor our veterans while driving through Southwest Michigan and noticed towns were honoring their vets in unique ways.

Over this year and next year, the streets of Lansing will honor veterans by hanging 100 banners. All of the banners were sponsored by family members, friends or local businesses.

99.1 WFMK logo
Get our free mobile app

Event Information

This Thursday, miniature replicas of the banners will be unveiled at the Lansing Public Library located at 2750 Indiana Ave at 6 p.m.

Mayor Eidam is set to speak at the event. Military memorabilia will be available for viewing and Troop 276 Ceremonial Ensemble will be performing. For more information on the event, visit the Times website.

Memorial Day

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day?

The federal holiday originated years after the Civil War and officially became a holiday in 1971.

The Civil War ended in spring of 1865 and claimed several lives requiring the establishment of one of the first national cemeteries. By the end of the 60s, individuals all over the U.S. started holding their own tributes to memorialize the fallen soldiers.

According to History.com, each year on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. a national moment of remembrance occurs.

 

MORE TO EXPLORE: Lansing Then and Now

KEEP READING: Scroll to see what the big headlines were the year you were born

More From 99.1 WFMK