DETROIT Belle Isle was transformed into a somber memorial honoring the lives of Detroit residents lost to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Only the families and friends of COVID-19 victims were allowed on Belle Isle on Monday, they were allowed to give their loved ones a final goodbye. Barksdale lost her sister, Nikki, to COVID-19 in March. One of the youngest, the youngest in Michigan, Skyler Herbert, had a lifetime ahead of her. READ: Belle Isle memorial set to display 900 of 1,500 Detroiters lost to COVID-19

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has declared August 31, 2020 as Detroit Memorial Day to acknowledge residents who have died from COVID-19. The day will be recognized with a citywide memorial featuring large photo boards of passed Detroit residents along a route on Belle Isle. Families and friends are encouraged to drive the route and say goodbye to their loved ones on August 31. The city of Detroit is requesting families to send photographs of their loved ones who have died from COVID-19 so that they can be displayed along the route on August 31. Families interested in submitting photos of their loved ones for the Detroit memorial event can do so before July 31 through one of the following options:Online here,by emailing detroitmemorial2020@gmail.comor by mailing: Detroit Memorial 2020, P.O.