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Laying of the Lilacs Ceremony
The Benzie Area Historical Society’s annual Memorial Day recognition, “The Laying of the Lilacs,” will take place on Saturday, May 23rd, at 11 am at the Benzonia Township Cemetery. Traditionally, community members would decorate the graves of Civil War veterans with lilacs from their yards. As the holiday’s name changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day, the lilac tradition began to encompass other veterans and their family members as well. Bruce Catton eloquently describes these events in his memoir Waiting for the Morning Train, which recounts his childhood in Benzonia.
Historical Society curator Jane Purkis will lead the program, which will include music by Dorothy Byers & Rob Jones. There will also be a special honored guest, President Abraham Lincoln (Ron Lowe).
Following the program, there will be a headstone cleaning workshop. All materials will be provided. For more information, please call 231-882-5539.