Bright sun, brisk breeze and the scent of charcoal in the air pervaded campus on Monday, as Memorial Day unofficially kicked off the summer.
Many students opted to spend Memorial Day by enjoying the company of their friends and families at barbecues, parks and a number of Ann Arbor's outdoor attractions.
Michigan State University students Bryan Fingeroot and Chris Corbin said they were excited to spend the Memorial Day holiday in Ann Arbor.
"I am going to totally chill out and just barbecue with the guys," said Fingeroot.
Corbin said he was looking forward to the days ahead.
"This summer is going to be awesome! I can't wait for the sunny days at the beach and the relaxing nights under the stars," Corbin said.
Many University students chose to leave Ann Arbor for the holiday. LSA senior Marissa Przybylo said she is "going to go home to a barbecue with my family."
LSA senior Brian Devilling was in a celebratory mood on Monday.
"I went home and went golfing, and then came back for the night," he said. "It was my 21st birthday, so I drank a ton."
Others, like LSA junior Katie Weed, hit the highways to travel to cottages, campgrounds and other favorite vacationing spots.
"I am going to be on Mackinac Island with my family from Friday until Monday," Weed said.
In the Nichols Arboretum on Monday, picnicking families and boisterous young children swarmed the banks of the Huron River.
Northville resident Ron Kunth, a visitor at the Arboretum, said the Memorial Day holiday is a great time to barbecue and spend time with the family. However, he added that people should not forget the significance of the day.
"I think we have a lot to be thankful for, and must remember the people who served our nation," said Kunth. "Without them we wouldn't be here."
Washtenaw Memorial Park was crowded with people paying respects to these heroic veterans, said Assistant Manager Phil Clark.
"We're out here helping families find their loved ones," said Clark.
"We like to do a lot for veterans, we give them free lots (at the cemetery) and today we're having the fire department put flags on veterans' gravesites.
"We still don't think we're doing enough," Clark said. "Next year we'll have marching bands, a speaker from the Veteran's Administration and a 21-gun salute."
The Memorial Day tradition dates back to more than a century ago. Gen. John Logan, president of the Grand Army of the Republic, established the holiday following the Civil War.
He designated May 30, 1868 "for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion."
After World War I, the day was extended to honor the dead of all American wars, and in 1971 the date was changed to the last Monday in each May.
Memorial Day, along with honoring veterans, also serves as the traditional opening day for beaches, pools and other popular summer destinations around the country.
However, the weather was just a little too cold for people to venture poolside, said Amy Murrow, lifeguard at Ann Arbor's Buhr Park public pool.
"The first couple of weeks are usually pretty slow," said Murrow. "Today, there's only three people in the pool and three others on the deck."
LSA junior Rob Schmitz was also disappointed with the weather.
"I would like to be waterskiing, but it's too cold outside," said Schmitz. "Instead I'm going to be studying economics and psychology."
Nevertheless, people still were able to have fun in the sun, said Jim Lapointe, manager of Gallup Park Canoe Livery.
"There's a lot of people in the park walking, biking and rollerblading," said Lapointe. "People seem excited to be out here." we give them free lots (at the cemetery) and today we're having the fire department put flags on veterans' gravesites.
"We still don't think we're doing enough," Clark said. "Next year we'll have marching bands, a speaker from the Veteran's Administration and a 21-gun salute."
The Memorial Day tradition dates back to more than a century ago. Gen. John Logan, president of the Grand Army of the Republic, established the holiday following the Civil War.
He designated May 30, 1868 "for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion."
After World War I, the day was extended to honor the dead of all American wars, and in 1971 the date was changed to the last Monday in each May.
Memorial Day, along with honoring veterans, also serves as the traditional opening day for beaches, pools and other popular summer destinations around the country.
However, the weather was just a little too cold for people to venture poolside, said Amy Murrow, lifeguard at Ann Arbor's Buhr Park public pool.
"The first couple of weeks are usually pretty slow," said Murrow. "Today, there's only three people in the pool and three others on the deck."
LSA junior Rob Schmitz was also disappointed with the weather.
"I would like to be waterskiing, but it's too cold outside," said Schmitz. "Instead I'm going to be studying economics and psychology."
Nevertheless, people still were able to have fun in the sun, said Jim Lapointe, manager of Gallup Park Canoe Livery.
"There's a lot of people in the park walking, biking and rollerblading," said Lapointe. "People seem excited to be out here."
JULLY PARK/Daily
Flowers and flags adorned headstones at Forrest Hills Cemetery on Memorial Day. Families remembered the deceased and paid respects to veterans.