LANSING, Mich. — The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) hosted a nationwide memorial to honor those who lost their lives to COVID-19.
Cities across the state of Michigan got creative to show their support for the 400,000 Americans and 2 million people world wide who lost their lives to the virus.
"We all know that we’ve lost people and I think this has personally affected everybody,” said Lansing's Mayor Andy Schor.
Lansing took part in the memorial by lighting several buildings in the downtown area including City Hall, South Washington Office Complex and a few fire stations.
"There was a call by the Biden-Harris Presidential Inauguration Committee, for cities and communities, churches and others to all join," Schor said.
Mary Boudreau and Carol Kasuda came out with their own candles to show their support for people they lost.
"I've lost several people that are patients and friends also," Boudrea said.
In Washington D.C., President elect Joe Biden and Vice President elect Kamala Harris lit the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool for the first time in history.
"For many months we have grieved by ourselves," Harris said. "Tonight, we grieve and begin healing together."
In Jackson, the millennium clock tower rang 188 times; one chime for every life lost in the county.
"Think of every ring and how that's a resident, that's a friend of someone, that's a loved one," said Jackson Public Information Officer Aaron Dimick. "It was really emotional for me to be here and be a part of this because it really gives scale to human toll."
The memorial was only for one night, but Mayor Schor says there are ways we can honor those who lost their lives every day.
"In order to honor those that have been struck by this we need to continue to be safe, we need to beat this virus,” he said.
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