The annual Memorial Day parade in Grafton, West Virginia, marked its 133th anniversary in 2000. The participation of thousands of Taylor County school children is a delightful and unique feature of the parade. Dressed in white and each carrying a bouquet of flowers and a small American flag, the children march through the business district of Grafton to the National Cemetery. Upon arriving at the cemetery the school groups disband, and each child places his/her bouquet and flag upon a grave. This tradition is believed to be unique among Memorial Day observances nationwide.

Decorating the Grafton National Cemetery graves with flowers began in 1869 when Major William Ballonee issued a proclamation asking that all citizens lay aside their tasks and join the Civil War veterans in the observance of "Flower Strewing Day". He requested that those who grew flowers donate them liberally to children who would place them on the graves. "Flower Strewing Day" retained its name until 1882, when Reno Post No. 7, the Grafton Unit of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was organized. That year the more appropriate name of "Memorial Day" was adopted. This led to Grafton becoming known as the "Memorial City". When the Grafton Veterans of Foreign Wars was formed, it became known as Memorial City Post 3081 of the VFW.

At the cemetery services, after the graves are decorated, speeches are given and flowers are placed by veterans organizations at the base of the replica of the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier".  Traditionally, each governor of West Virginia serves as Memorial Day speaker at least once during his tenure in office. The annual parade and other Memorial Day weekend activities are planned and organized by the chartered West Virginia Memorial Day Committee. Chairmanship switches from year to year between the commanders of the VFW and the American Legion.

Memorial Day has become a "Homecoming Day" for many former citizens of Grafton and Taylor County who come from all sections of the country to renew old acquaintances and fellow alumni of past Memorial Days.