In collaboration with PBS Stories of Service, WGVU Public Media, ArtPrize, and West Michigan Whitecaps announce LZ Michigan 2017. LZ Michigan is a “Landing Zone” to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families.

“On July 3, 2010 at the first LZ Michigan, WGVU said loud and clear Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans,” said Michael T. Walenta, WGVU Public Media General Manager. “During the event we challenged our community to continue the mission of LZ Michigan, to work to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families. I am continually asked when we are going to host another LZ Michigan event. WGVU Public Media along with PBS, NPR, ArtPrize and the West Michigan Whitecaps are honored to announce LZ Michigan will be happening on Sept. 23.”

LZ Michigan will consist of several community events and activities beginning in May and continuing through December 2017. Events include the kick-off of ArtPrize 9 and an all-day event at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday, Sept. 23. On Friday, Sept. 22, as part of the ArtPrize Cinema Series, WGVU Public Media, PBS, and Florentine Films will host a preview screening of “The Vietnam War,” a film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with special guests.

As part of ArtPrize 9, there will be a Veterans Art Competition with public and jury voting deciding on the winner. The veterans participating in ArtPrize will be celebrated at the LZ Michigan event on Saturday with the winners being announced at the ArtPrize Awards Ceremony by WGVU Public Media and the Veterans Category sponsor The Stow Company.

“ArtPrize celebrates freedom of expression and freedom of speech. These freedoms cannot be taken for granted, and we are proud to partner with LZ Michigan to support and honor those who serve the Armed Forces of the United States of America,” said ArtPrize Director of Communications Todd Herring.

Saturday, Sept. 23, will be a day-long celebration at Fifth Third Ballpark, 4500 West River Dr. NE, that will feature military displays, historical artifacts, the LZ Michigan Vietnam Big Map, Veteran World Map, guest lectures, and performances by local music artists. “We are extremely honored to be part of LZ Michigan in 2017.  The first event, in 2010, was memorable and we are proud to be the host site for this worthy event,” stated West Michigan Whitecaps President Scott Lane. The evening will culminate in an event to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families inside the Ballpark.

As part of the celebration of Michigan Veterans, LZ will be holding a Female Veterans Expo. The concept of “Not Every G.I. Is A Joe” resonates deeply within the female veteran community. The expo will feature information and outreach from the Grand Rapids Chapter of Team Red, White, and Blue, the VA, and the only totally female American Legion Post in Michigan. There will also be the opportunity for female veterans and their family members to paint combat boots as a memorial to the female veterans in their lives. The Female Veterans Expo serves to highlight the commitment and sacrifices that women make in order to serve their country. Our desire is that Yvette Petti, PhD, APRN-BC, Women Veterans Program Manager from the Battle Creek VA, will be on site at the Female Veterans Expo to disseminate information regarding female specific services that the VA has to offer.

LZ Michigan led by WGVU Public Media, is a “Landing Zone” to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families.