Daily Press file photo The Memorial Day Queen in crowned at last year’s Rapid River Memorial Day celebration.

By R. R. Branstrom

rbranstrom@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — Monday is Memorial Day, our nation’s designated date to mourn and honor the Armed Forces members who fell while in service of the United States of America. The central Upper Peninsula’s veterans organizations and communities, along with those around the country, are preparing for this year’s events, which also serve as the unofficial launch of summer.

The big Memorial Day celebration locally is the one in Rapid River — the little town’s 52nd annual event will be held on Monday afternoon on Main Street and in the park. Other communities are conducting ceremonies primarily at cemeteries, and Manistique is hosting a unique event to educate about flag folding.

In Rapid River, Memorial Day festivities begin downtown at 12:00 p.m. with a flag ceremony, queen crowning, and selection of a parade grand marshal at the Lions Club (10465 S. Main St.) prior to the 1:00es at Masonville Township Recreation Area with a kickball tournament, axe throwing, children’s bounce houses, food trucks, a beer garden and live music.

In Gladstone, American Legion Post 71 will be placing flags on the graves of fallen service members at Fernwood Cemetery on Friday morning (the 23rd) beginning at 9 a.m. Volunteers interested in lending a hand may contact Sandy at 702-340-5677. People showing up to help on Friday will find containers of flags for each section, meant only for the designated section.

On Memorial Day, Monday the 27th, the Delta County Veterans Council will travel for a series of ceremonies in Escanaba beginning at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery at 9 a.m. From there, they will go to Lakeview Cemetery around 9:25 a.m. and then to the Veterans Memorial in Ludington Park around 9:55 a.m. The Aronson Island Bridge is the penultimate stop, with a wreath ceremony at about 10:20 a.m. Finally, the group will reach Gardens of Rest Memorial Park and Mausoleums for their main event, a special service that is to be held at 11 a.m. That ceremony has been organized as a collaboration between the Delta County Veterans Council and Gardens of Rest.

A separate ceremony will be held at the Bark River Township Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. on Monday by their local American Legion, Post 438.

The American Legion Walter W. Cole Post 301 of Rapid River will present at cemeteries in Ogontz at 8 a.m., Isabella/Moss Lake at 8:40 a.m., Nahma/Vet Memorial at 9:10 a.m., Stonington Lakewood at 10:10 a.m., and Rapid River at 11:15 a.m. — also all on Monday.

In Manistique, a presentation at the Middle / High School (100 N. Cedar St.) will feature a few guest speakers and a flag folding ceremony that includes an explanation of what each fold of the American flag represents. The event takes place on Memorial Day beginning at 11 a.m.

The holiday also marks the start of a new season for some part-time businesses, parks, campgrounds and other destinations. In preparation for summer, warm weather, and incoming tourists, sites like the Delta County Historical Museum in Escanaba, Seul Choix Pointe Lighthouse in Gulliver and others will open to guests beginning on Memorial Day.