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THE NORTHVILLIAN 5/20/2025
During my childhood, the remembrance ceremony at Rural Hill Cemetery embodied what Memorial Day weekend was all about for our family ... My mother was born on Armistice Day, the day WWI ended. As a young adult, she was a “Rosie the Riveter” at the Willow Run B24 Liberator Bomber plant in Ypsilanti, which was part of the Arsenal of Democracy. My father was a proud WWII Marine (is there any other kind?). Sacrifice for this country that we all love has always been a part of our family’s DNA, going on five generations.
A little background on our two Veteran holidays: Veterans Day (Nov. 11) salutes and gives homage to all Vets in this country, whereas Memorial Day is specifically set aside to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Lloyd Green, who served in WWI, is one of those individuals. His final resting place is in the center of the Veterans Memorial area at Rural Hill (our version of the Arlington National Cemetery) and our American Legion is named in his honor.
In Rural Hill we have 741 Veterans, ranging from those who served in the War of 1812 to modern era conflicts. In Oakwood Cemetery, there are Vets from the Revolutionary War and Civil War (24 in total).
MEMORIAL DAY GATHERING AT RURAL HILL
This was a very reverent part of the weekend for our family. Growing up, I had the opportunity to be in the parade as a member of the Marching Band and had the honor of performing “Taps” at the Cemetery’s Memorial service, which gives recognition to our Veterans who have truly been part of the fabric of our community. My father would spend time at the Veterans Memorial area reminiscing about his friends who weren’t as lucky as he was to return to Northville. Many of the names on the markers were close family friends.
For Northvillians over the years, recognition of our Veterans has been an important tradition. Communities (like ours) throughout the country will hold similar ceremonies after parades. Accordingly, we will gather as follows:
Monday, 5/26 at 10:00 AM for a parade on Main Street starting on Griswold, stopping briefly at Oakwood Cemetery (Cady St) for a 21-gun salute, and then end at Rural Hill (7 Mile & Rogers) for an 11:00 AM short remembrance ceremony.
Memorial Day
The tradition of Memorial Day dates back to 1868, shortly after the Civil War when it was named Decoration Day (because it was a day to decorate the graves of loved ones we lost in the Civil War). In 1968, Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, giving us a treasured three-day weekend and a well-deserved time to commemorate all American military personnel.
Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of our fallen soldiers, a tradition that began with a WWI poem. At the gathering at Rural Hill, we will pay homage to our brave men and women who have defended the ideals of this country.
Before looking at Memorial Day Activities, let’s see what’s happening today…
- State of the Community Presentation – Click Link for recording
- “Lungs” at Tipping Point Theatre (Final show of season!) – 5/7 – 6/1. Link
- Memorial Day Weekend is coming
- 5/22 Farmers’ Market
- 5/23-5/24 Flower Sale Downtown
- 5/26 Memorial Day Parade at 10:00 AM in town followed by a ceremony to remember our Veterans at Rural Hill 11:00 AM … Link
- 1849 Shakespeare Riots in NYC with Kevin Peshick – 5/28, 7pm @ Mill Race Village. What caused a riot between favorite Shakespearean actors and what impact still lingers? Co-sponsored by the Historical Society and Northville District Library. Link
- Cars and Coffee – Saturday, 6/14, 8-11 AM – New location at the Farmers’ Market site, Northville Road & 7 Mile, because of the Art Fair in town. Bring a car, yourself, a friend. The May show was truly outstanding!
- Upcoming Music/Concerts – Chamber/DDA Link, Maybury Link, Marquis Link, Northville Winery Link, NOMI Link
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – Support the Ford Field Playground
Northville Rotary is supporting the new Ford Field Playscape initiative (Summer ’25):
- The Northville Rotary Foundation has pledged $50,000 to support the renovation of the playground at Ford Field, along with an additional $25,000 in matching funds
- Residents are invited to join this effort and have their donations DOUBLED through the Rotary Foundation’s matching program.
Donations can be made by check or through the PayPal link below:
https://northvillerotaryfoundation.org/pages/heritage-park-donations
Mail Checks To: Northville Rotary Foundation – 143 Cadycentre, #109, Northville, MI 48167
INFO FOR CITIZENS …
Projects Around Town
- Ford Field – Phase I: The waterfall area at Serenity Point in the northern part of the park is coming alive. Phase II (Summer) Vista overlook, fencing, staircase upgrades, ADA entrance, (Fall) – New playscape structure. 2026 - Bathroom construction.
- Riverwalk – Riverbed continues to progress at the Downs (section by section). Over 300 trees have been delivered, and seven more trucks are on their way. Additional trees for the boulevards & City Park are also on site.
- Downs Initiative – Construction commencing, progress on Townhomes & Apartments
- Farmers’ Market – new location up and running (550 7 Mile), open Thursdays 8-2pm.
- Grants that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives – Link
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Cemetery Renewal Task Force – Stop by Oakwood Cemetery to see progress. Garden Gang has been weeding (Link), led by Anna Hay (248 719 9823), next Headstone Cleaning will be 5/21, led by Chuck ([email protected]). For more info contact Dave Marold ([email protected])
- Bicentennial Task Force – 6/5 @ City Hall 7:30pm. All are welcome to join work teams as we ready for our 2027 event – info write [email protected]
OUR COMMUNITY’S MEMORIAL DAY HIGHLIGHTS THROUGH TIME:
1868 – On Decoration Day, Northvillians joined in the nationwide tradition of gathering and remembering Civil War Veterans and decorating their final resting places.
1918 – The Northville Record published a story on Northvillian Lloyd Green, who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms in WWI. His final resting place is in the center of Rural Hill’s Veterans’ area. Our American Legion Post is named in his honor.
1952 – RURAL HILL MILITARY MEMORIAL SECTION was established 73 years ago in this historic burial ground built in the 1800’s.
2017 – The banner program, sponsored by the Northville Chamber of Commerce, is an outstanding remembrance of those who served our country proudly. Slow down as you stroll around town and take note of the names & faces on each of the 250 banners.
VFW POST & AMERICAN LEGION – We in the Northville community are truly indebted to the entire VFW Post for their dedication in organizing the annual Memorial Day event, working in coordination with the American Legion who assists with the parade activities. Additionally, I thank all the volunteers. including the Scouts for placing flags on all our Veterans’ gravesites each year and for the maintenance they provide for the Veterans’ portion of Rural Hill.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank all our Veterans and especially their families for their courage & dedication. I thank each & every Veteran for all you have done for the liberty of our nation. We’re all standing on the shoulders of those that have come before us, and it’s our responsibility to keep their stories & memories alive in our hearts. I encourage all of you to slow down and thank a Veteran for those freedoms we cherish in our nation.
Enjoy your upcoming Memorial Day weekend and let’s continue to spread HOPE for a better tomorrow. Again, I thank our VFW Post, the American Legion, the Chamber, the Scouts and other volunteers for their contributions at this annual memorial gathering.
See you at the Rural Hill Ceremony at 11:00 AM on Monday, May 26th.
Keep that Northville Memorial Day Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849
(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.) Click the following link to forward to those that may want to subscribe to this weekly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/5a31f2ec1a6e/turnbullformayor
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