News Release

"M" on Box Springs Mountain Will Be Illuminated with Red, White and Blue Lights in Honor of Memorial Day

For immediate release: May 28, 2018

The "M" on Box Springs Mountain will be illuminated with red, white and blue lights in honor of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day, was first celebrated as Decoration Day in May 1868, in which the graves of the war dead were decorated with flowers, wreaths, and flags.

As the years passed, it became known as Memorial Day, and in 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be held on the last Monday of May, honoring all military personnel killed fighting American wars.

"Today, we honor the memories of generations of Americans who selflessly sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we all treasure," said Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez. "While we pay them tribute we are reminded that they are forever united by their love of country. It was their love of country that drew them away from their loved ones and their lives into wars from which they would never return. And it is their love of country that continues to inspire future generations of our military men and women to fight to protect our precious freedoms."

City Hall's LED lighting system on Box Springs Mountain for the 'M' is designed to enhance local events and provide a source of civic unity and pride. The default color will be white.

Lighting the ‘M’ promotes the City, its civic institutions, state and federal holidays, and other public events of community significance and times of celebration. The City may accept community requests for special lighting to recognize a specific cause or to commemorate or enhance a specific event. Non-profit and charitable organizations can request that the 'M' be illuminated in specific colors to elevate awareness of their cause.

Priority in choosing colors for the lights will be given to promoting events that celebrate the City, its civic institutions, City‑recognized holidays, public events and festivals. Requests to change the color or pattern of the 'M’s' decorative lights will be accommodated as dates are available. The City reserves the right to deny or modify requests.

For more information, to see the lighting schedule or to submit a request please visit the City's website.