United Way of Southeastern Michigan and TCF Bank were the Presenting Sponsors of the Memorial Repast.
In addition to the Presenting Sponsor and Repast Sponsors, the City deeply thanks all those who are still contributing, including Huntington Bank, Walker-Miller Energy Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Global Automotive Alliance, The Library Collective, Century Partners, The Parade Company, the Detroit Tigers, and members of the Memorial Steering Committee.
Riley said she chose a memorial drive, not just for social distancing, but because it was a chance to make people understand the seriousness of the pandemic.
“People are not seeing flag-draped coffins coming home from war or attending daily funerals,” she said. “We need to see hearses. We need to see the mourning so that everyone will understand that this is a pandemic that is stealing people away from us.”
The Memorial Drive was possible only because family members agree not to leave their cars, thus abiding by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s mandate against social gathering. Families can return on Tuesday and Wednesday. to take photos with the billboards or place memorabilia near the photos.
All families that followed the guidelines will receive the large billboard photos of their loved ones as a gift from the city the day after the event.
For more information about the memorial contact Rochelle Riley, director of arts and culture at (313) 720-1016 or detroitartsandculture@gmail.com.