Summer Starts with Swag: A Memorial Day Tradition at the Richards Building

For many, Memorial Day is the official kick-off to the summer season, but here at the Richards Building, it is more than a day of parades, barbeques, and the unofficial “okay” to start wearing white.

It’s a time of reflection, gratitude, and quiet pride. That’s why, in honor of Monday's Memorial Day Parade, we adorned the Richards Building with bunting in red, white, and blue—not just to welcome the warmer days ahead, but to honor the generations of servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The red stands for bravery, white for purity, and blue for justice—each color with deep meaning, especially on a day when we remember those who gave their lives in service.

So yes, it looks festive. But it’s also a powerful reminder of who we are and what we stand for.

Bunting’s been around for a long time, even dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.  Over time, it found its way into everyday American life—showing up at Civil War memorials and presidential inaugurations, and decorating porches and public buildings for generations. 

Here at the Richards Building, we continue that tradition—not just to honor the past, but to remind ourselves and our community that patriotism isn’t just about ceremony. Photos from earlier iterations of the Richards Building show an abundance of bunting adorning its façade on Blackwell Street. 

That's why, on Memorial Day and—with a little cooperation from Mother Nature—through the Fourth of July, the Richards Building will don a contemporary showcase of the red, white and blue bunting that ties us to those earlier generations.

So while you’re soaking in the start of summer, we hope you’ll pause for a moment, look up at the bunting, and reflect on the meaning woven into every fold. It’s our way of keeping the spirit alive—honoring service, celebrating community, and adding a little color and pride to the start of summer.