There are a number of events taking place for Memorial Day honoring those who have lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces. Benzonia’s annual Laying of the Lilacs ceremony will take place today, May 27, at 11am in Benzonia Township Cemetery. The ceremony honors the area’s Civil War veterans. This year’s ceremony also honors Senator William Case, author of The Tragedy of Crystal Lake, and his family with a program presented by Benzie Area Historical Society Curator and historian Jane Purkis.

In Traverse City, a ceremony will take place at 10am Monday, May 29, at Veterans Memorial Park on Eleventh & Elmwood streets. Several military service branches will be represented. Attendees are requested to bring a chair.

From 9am-2pm, Veterans for Peace will honor fallen soldiers at the Open Space in Traverse City. Taps will be played at 12 noon.

In Leelanau County, VFW Post 7731 will be conducting a Memorial Day Ceremony beginning at 10am on Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Leelanau County Veteran's Memorial. It is located near the entrance to the Government Center on Government Center Drive. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7731 of Lake Leelanau and Eagletown post members will provide a color guard and honor guard for the ceremony. County Commissioner Richard A. Schmuckal, a former sergeant in the U.S. Army, will serve as emcee, and former Army captain and Vietnam combat veteran Dave Alguire of the Eagletown American Legion Post No. 120 of Peshawbestown will be the keynote speaker.

Northport will hold its annual Memorial Day observance Monday at 10:30am at the Leelanau Township Cemetery on Kitchen Road. The ceremony will include patriotic music by the Village Voices and Northport Community Band. The Northport Girl Scout and Brownie troops and the Suttons Bay Boy Scout troop will also participate in the ceremony.