Volunteers of two local commissions will plant four redbud trees at the Wyoming Veteran’s Memorial Garden for WWII and Korean War veterans (Courtesy, The City of Wyoming Historical Commission)
Only one evergreen tree (not pictured) currently remains to the east of the monument. With funding from the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance, The Tree Amigos and Historical Commission plan to spruce up the memorial originally erected in 1945 at the intersection of Lee Street and Porter Street. Plantings adjacent to the monument will be updated in the spring.
(Courtesy, The City of Wyoming Historical Commission)
“The Wyoming Historical Commission is grateful to The Tree Amigos for beautifying the Wyoming Honor Roll Memorial dedicated to our veterans from Wyoming who served during WWII and the Korean Wars,” says Vicki Briggs, board member of The Historical Commission.
“This memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1945. The original plantings had been removed due to their age and now will be renewed.”
Tree dedication ceremony
A brief ceremony dedicating the trees and remembering the veterans named on the monument will take place at 12 p.m. on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11.
Representatives from the City of Wyoming and the Historical Commission will say a few words, along with American Legion Post 154 Post Commander Keith Wakefield. The Tree Amigos will also make an announcement about future projects.
“That’s so exciting, and I appreciate what Tree Amigos is doing to beautify the neighborhood,” says Kalene McElveen, owner of Tasteful Vegan Ice Cream Shop, a business adjacent to the planting site.
Local history
Boyce Slootmaker lied about his age to join the Navy at age 16 (Courtesy, Slootmaker family)
Among those named on the memorial are family members of The Tree Amigos chairperson, Estelle Slootmaker: Boyce Slootmaker (WWII), Howard Joyce (Korean War), and Clayton Burkholder (WWII).
Lieutenant Commander Roger B. Chaffee was added to the memorial in 1967. Born and raised in Wyoming, Chaffee died on Jan. 27, 1967 in the Apollo spacecraft flash fire during a launch pad test at Kennedy Space Center, FL.
McDonald’s restaurants across the region will be recognizing Veterans Day in a special way, by offering current and former military members a free meal (Courtesy photo)
McDonald’s restaurants throughout Grand Rapids are honored to serve veterans, active-duty military members and their families each and every day. This year, McDonald’s restaurants across the region will be recognizing Veterans Day in a special way, by offering current and former military members a free meal.
Participating McDonald’s restaurants will offer a meal to all veterans with a valid military ID on Monday, Nov. 11. For breakfast, veterans can enjoy an Egg McMuffin or Bacon Egg Cheese Biscuit, along with a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea or coffee.
Meals are only available via dine-in or drive-thru, and are not available in the McDonald’s app. Breakfast meals are only available until 10:30 a.m.
(Courtesy, McDonald’s)
Supporting community
Local McDonald’s owner/operators are committed to feeding and fostering communities by providing meals in honor of veterans, teachers and first responders, and through support of youth sports leagues and neighborhood jobs.
U.S. Army Rangers First Sgt. Matt Eversmann (Ret.), whose battlefield experiences in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia led him to become an author, is also an advocate for “teaching the next generation of leaders through his experience with the atrocities of war.”
In that and many other ways, Eversmann is the perfect person to be the featured guest at a Veterans Day Celebration hosted by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, Grand Valley State University’s Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center and GVSU’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies — a center named for Col. Ralph W. Hauenstein.
Hauenstein — a journalist, war hero, entrepreneur, philanthropist and so much more — was also a strong advocate for educating leaders on the impact and aftereffects of military conflict.
The Veterans Day Celebration, with Eversmann speaking, will take place Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., in GVSU’s Charles W. Loosemore Auditorium, 401 West Fulton St., Suite 134 E, DeVos Center, Grand Rapids. For more information and to register, visit this gvsu.edu page. Free parking is available at the nearby Seward Ramp.
U.S. Army Rangers First Sgt. Matt Eversmann (Ret.), now an author and speaker. (Supplied)
“In October of 1993, First Sergeant Matt Eversmann led a group of Army Rangers in a UN peacekeeping operation in Somalia,” it states in event promotional material. “Having been trapped, outnumbered, and marked for death, Eversmann’s survival and heroism earned him a Bronze Star Medal with valor device. He’s since been immortalized in the film Black Hawk Down.
“Upon returning from Somalia, Eversmann committed to teaching the next generation of leaders through his experience with the atrocities of war – not unlike our namesake, Colonel Ralph W. Hauenstein. His story highlights the importance of leadership, followership, and responsibility in our age of tribalism.”
While the Veterans Day Celebration will be a live event, the Hauenstein Center continues to offer a digital alternative for all of their events “as we consider the health and safety of our members, students, and the community.” The program is available virtually by visiting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87222394732 or call 929-205-6099 to gain access to the webinar ID: 872 2239 4732 to view the live broadcast.
In addition to members of the Hauenstein Center, all community members who are veterans or military-connected are invited to an hors d’oeuvres and drinks event at 5:30 p.m.
Eversmann — soldier and author
Eversmann is the co-author of two military-related books, The Battle of Mogadishu and Walk in My Combat Boots, and he knows what he writes about. But he is also a strong advocate for veterans rights and post-military employment and other services.
In Eversmann’s supplied biography, it states that: On October 3, 1993, Matt was placed in charge of a group of Army Rangers to lead a daytime raid against an eager enemy militia. His inspiring story of survival was immortalized in the epic film, Black Hawk Down, which recounts the harrowing experience. For his actions on the battlefield he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with valor device.
During his remaining time in uniform, he worked at the Army War College, taught at The Johns Hopkins University and was finally deployed to Iraq where he lived with the Iraqi Army for 15 months during The Surge. He remained on active duty until May of 2008, when he retired after 20 years of service.
His frustration with the typical hiring process for veterans fueled his desire to help others avoid the “veterans predicament,” where servicemen and women are overlooked because of a broken hiring system. Since his retirement from active duty, he has worked in several industries in mid-level to senior-level positions. He was an operations officer in healthcare, an executive director in a non-profit and a VP of leadership development for a data management company.
This coming week, as the nation observes Veterans Day, several community events have been planned to honor area veterans.
Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on Nov. 11, 1918. In legislation that was passed in 1938, Nov. 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'” As such, this new legal holiday honored World War I veterans.
In 1954, the 83rd U.S. Congress — at the urging of the veterans service organizations — amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting the word “Veterans.” Another change happened in 1968, with Veterans Day moved to the fourth Monday of October, however; that did not meet with much success so in 1975, former President Gerald R. Ford signed a law that moved Veterans Day back to Nov. 11.
City of Wyoming
The City of Wyoming will be hosting its annual Veterans Day Breakfast on Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center. The breakfast is free for veterans and $10 for non-veterans. Reservations for the breakfast are required. To make a reservation, call the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164. For more on this event, click here.
Government Matters
This month’s Government Matters forum, hosted by the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, will be at Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23, 98 52nd St. SE. The program, which is from 8 – 9:15 a.m., brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
Several area businesses will be doing special promotions and events for veterans. All SpartanNash stores will be giving veterans an 11 percent discount on eligible products on Sunday, Nov. 10, and Monday, Nov. 11. The stores will also start carrying American Dream apples, with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each bag of apples will support service members, veterans and their families.
True heroism is remarkable sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
American Tennis Player Arthur Ashe
We Salute
Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11, with several local events schedule. The City of Wyoming will host its annual Veterans Day Breakfast at the Wyoming Senior Center and the Wyoming Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce will be at Kentwood’s AMVETS Post 23. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Mr. Sid’s Afternoon Video Series will be hosting a program honoring local vets. For more information, click here.
Become Civic Minded
This Sunday, Nov. 10, City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson will host a Community Conversation on Homelessness from 2 – 4 p.m. at Broad Leaf Local Beer, 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd. SE. Keynote speaker will be Judge William G. Kelly, the chief judge for Kentwood’s 62B District Court. For more information, click here.
The Grand Rapids Symphony performs the music of “Home Alone” as the film is shown on Nov. 12.
Stay ‘Home Alone’ or hit some craft shows
The weekend will be full of craft shows such as the one at the Byron Center High School, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW. The show runs form 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Kentwood’s St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 1253 52nd St. SE, also will be hosting its craft show from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, get into the holiday spirit as the Grand Rapids Symphony presents the movie classic “Home Alone.” The symphony will perform the John Williams’ score as the film is shown.
Fun Fact: I’m not heavy, I’m a bridge
The world’s largest and heaviest vertical-lift bridge is the Houghton Hancock Bridge, also called the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, located in Houghton, Michigan, the home of Michigan Technology University. About 35,000 tons of concrete and about 7,000 tons of steel was used in the bridge’s construction. The double-decker bridge is the major connection across Portage Lake which cuts across the Keweenaw Peninsula with a canal that links to Lake Superior. And for the beer fans, Houghton is also home to the Keweenaw Brewing Company.
Wednesday, Nov. 13, Mr. Sid’s Wednesday After Video Series will host a special program honoring area veterans.
The program will be at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW. Feature presenter will be Fred Johnson, PhD, who is an associate professor of history at Hope College and a frequent presenter at Calvin Academy of Lifelong Learning.
The program will have a special guest, World War II Veteran Virgil Westdale, who is a 101-years-old. Westdale was a farm boy who was a pilot, TSA office and WWII solider serving with the all Japanese/American 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 522nd Artillery Battalion helping push the German’s out of Italy, France, and freeing prisoners from the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany. Westdale’s book “Blue Skies and Thunder” will be available for purchase ($20) during the event.
Upcoming Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series programs are “Feel Like You Belong” host and producer Alan Headbloom on Dec. 4. Headbloom has 30 years of experience in cross-cultural communication on six continents. He is interested in the stories of those who are immigrants and refugees and the challenges that they face. “Feel Like You Belong,” which airs on WKTV, features interviews of immigrants and expatriates faced with the challenge of adjusting to a new culture.
On Dec. 18, the Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series will host a Christmas Extravaganza. Mike Martin and guests will lead the group through Christmas Season music, songs, video and surprises.
Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series is in honor of Sid Lenger, a former Wyoming resident and World War II veteran who loved to share his stories and video travelogues at Marge’s Donut Den. Lenger passed away earlier this year at the age of 100.
The City of Wyoming will host a Veterans Day Breakfast on Monday, Nov. 11. The breakfast, which is at 9 a.m., is free for veterans and $10 for all others to attend.
This year’s keynote speaker will be Diane Cimchowicz, who retired from the Navy. Also in attendance will be Mayor Jack Poll, who will host the breakfast, as well as Wyoming City leaders.
Last year, the City of Wyoming decided to change its Veterans Day program from an outdoor evening ceremony to a morning breakfast. The response to last year’s breakfast was very good, according to city staff.
The breakfast will be at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW. Those interested in attending should pre-register by clicking here or contact the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164. You can also email parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or stop by the parks and recreation office, located in City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
During the week of Nov. 12, West Michigan Works! service centers will honor those who served in the military by offering job search services and events with a focus on veterans.
“We serve veterans every day, but we want to set aside this special time to highlight their service and their specific career needs,” said Brittany Lenertz, West Michigan Works! talent solutions director. “From offering coffee and displaying the flags of the Armed Forces in our centers to providing access to veteran-friendly resources, we want to show our gratitude to the men and women who served our country.”
Workshops
The week’s schedule of free workshops will include information to address veterans’ job search needs. For example, the resume workshop will help veterans convey their military experience with civilian language that hiring managers can easily understand.
“So many of the skills learned during military service transfer to civilian life—it’s all in the language used when you talk or write about them,” said Karen Riggs, a talent development instructor with West Michigan Works!
Community Resources
Several of the service centers will hold resource fairs that will highlight community resources for veterans. This may include anything from entrepreneurship workshops through the Small Business Development Center to assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Hiring Events
Veteran-friendly employers will be in the service centers as either an Employer of the Day or a part of a larger multi-employer hiring event. As always, veterans and their spouses receive early access to Michigan Works! hiring events.
Veterans can participate in any of these activities by visiting a West Michigan Works! service center Nov. 13-16 (the service centers will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12). Dates and locations of the Veterans Week hiring events as well as service center locations can be found on the West Michigan Works! website at westmiworks.org/vetweek.
Employment Expertise is provided by West Michigan Works! Learn more about how they can help: visit westmiworks.org or your local Service Center.
This year, the City of Wyoming has decided to switch things up when it comes to its annual Veterans Day program, replacing its outdoor evening ceremony for a morning breakfast event.
Set for Nov. 12 at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop Ave. SW, the breakfast is free for veterans, $5 for non-veterans. Those interested in attending need to pre-register for the program by Nov. 8 through the Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department by calling 616-530-3164, emailing parks_info@wyomingmi.gov, or stop by the office located in City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
“The City of Wyoming is committed and proud to recognize those who have served, and continue to serve our country in the armed forces and protect our freedoms,” said Wyoming’s Director of Community Services Rebecca Rynbrandt. “Our Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremonies are a tribute to that service and protection.”
Staff did note that there will be no changes to the Memorial Day program which is held in May.
This year’s Veterans Day program will feature Ken Jones, who served in all four branches of the military, as the keynote speaker. Jones has a decorated military career and retired after 22 years of service to the United States of America. He has a broad range of technical and administrative skills that include aircraft interior design, computer network programming and various federal government program analysis programs. Jones currently serves as a legal administrative specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Major Jack Poll will host the breakfast.
According to Wyoming staff, response to the breakfast has been pretty good. Usually for the Veterans Day program, the city has about 100 attendees with RSVPs for the 2018 breakfast already pass the halfway mark.
As part of the event and during the whole month of November, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety, 2300 DeHoop Ave. SW, will be accepting donations for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Items sought for donation include $25 gift cards (local fast food restaurants, Meijer, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, gordon Food Marketplace, etc.), candy bars, pens, batteries, stamps, grooming, hygiene items and clothing (new or gently used.)
Captain Paul J. Ryan of the United States Navy will be the keynote speaker at the Veterans Day Ceremony
The City of Wyoming will hold its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Garden, 2300 DeHoop Avenue SW.
Captain Paul J. Ryan of the United States Navy will be the keynote speaker for the event. Captain Ryan is one of our most decorated Michigan Veterans, having received many awards, most notably the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. Captain Ryan retired from active duty in 2005 and is currently the Vice President and Senior Trust Officer for Fifth Third Bank. The Lee High School band will perform at the event along with the Wyoming Department of Public Safety Honor Guard; Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Bolt will host the ceremony.
“The City of Wyoming is committed and proud to recognize those who have served, and continue to serve our country in the armed forces and protect our freedoms,” according to Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services for the City of Wyoming. “Our Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremonies are a tribute to that service and protection.”
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety, 2380 DeHoop Avenue SW, will also be accepting donations for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans during the month of November, Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Items sought for donation include $25. gift cards for local fast food restaurants, Meijer, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, Gordon Food Marketplace, etc., candy bars, pens, batteries, stamps, grooming/hygiene items, and clothing that is new or gently used.
Take a moment during Veterans Day to thank a Veteran for their service.
Veterans have stories to tell. Tales of bravery, friendship, family, and hardship experienced while on duty. The Veterans Oral History Project, in partnership with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, gives our countries Veterans an opportunity to tell their stories throughout the year.
Interviews with those who served in the US Military from WWII to the present are filmed and later aired on WKTV. The interviews can be seen on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 p.m. Shows are also aired every other Saturday at noon. Currently over 1,500 stories have been told thanks to project director Dr. James Smither, WKTV, and the Veterans willing and able to tell share their experiences.
Today is Veteran’s Day, and with Veteran’s Day comes Wyoming’s annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony. Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll will host this years Veteran’s Day Ceremony at 6 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Garden (2300 DeHoop SW).
The event will start off with the Lee High School Band performing the prelude at 6 p.m. The Lee Band will perform three more musical numbers throughout the Ceremony.
Guest speaker CH (LTC) Mel Flikkema, USAR (Ret.) will address the crowd with the focus being “On Remembering.” Flikkema served in Kuwait and Iraq during the Iraq war as the active duty chaplain of the 83rd Chemical Battalion.
On top of celebrating the Veterans who have served our country, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety will be accepting donations throughout the month of November for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Important items for donation include the following:
• New batteries: C, D and AAA
• New release DVD’s
• Gift Cards to: Meijer, Gordon Food Service, Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, etc.
• New postage stamps (Forever Stamps preferred)
• Bic Disposable Lighters
• Large print paperback books
• Recent magazines
• New and gently used men’s and women’s clothing
• Personal hygiene products
While the Wyoming Department of Public Safety will be accepting donations through November, the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans will accept donations through December 30. Their doors are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
WKTV will provide a delayed broadcast of the Veteran’s Day Ceremony that will be shown on Channel 26.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminds residents that, in honor of Veterans Day, all Secretary of State offices and the Office of the Great Seal will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 11. She also encouraged people to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice.
“I had a rare opportunity to visit our troops in the Middle East in 2012 to study how to make overseas voting easier for those in the military,” Johnson said. “I will never forget the sense of honor, duty and patriotism that those young men and women displayed in spite of the terrible conditions. We owe everyone who has ever served this country a great debt for their service and sacrifice.”
Michigan is home to more than 680,000 veterans, the 11th largest population nationally. Given the great number of veterans who live here, Johnson has unveiled a number of initiatives in support of them:
• Creating a veteran designation on driver’s licenses and state ID cards that helps identify Michigan veterans so they can be connected with the benefits they have earned and deserved.
• Pushing new ways to ensure that military personnel have their votes counted on Election Day, such as successfully advocating to extend a federal write-in ballot to state and local races.
• Waiving road tests for veterans applying for a Commercial Driver License to help their transition to civilian life if they have sufficient heavy truck experience in the military.
• Offering more than two dozen military license plates that are available for veterans and their spouses, allowing them to display their service with pride.
“Patriotism and service run deep in Michigan,” Johnson added. “This Veterans Day, take a moment to thank a vet for his or her service.”
Because of the Veterans Day closure, Johnson recommends residents find alternate ways or days to get their Secretary of State business done.
The Veteran’s Memorial Garden of the City of Wyoming began in 1995, as a vision of area veteran’s groups. With the assistance of many supporters, the City was able to complete the first phase of this beautiful garden when they dedicated the memorial walkway to all branches of the armed forces. Nestled adjacent to the Wyoming Police Department on DeHoop Avenue, north of 28th Street, the garden has quickly become a visible symbol of our tribute to those who have honorably served our nation in peace time and in war.
The “Walk of Honor” is a beautiful walkway that serves as a reminder of those individuals who have given of themselves and answered the call of duty so that we might continue to enjoy the freedoms with which we are blessed. Along this walkway are monuments dedicated to each war that our country has faced, starting with the Revolutionary War. Bricks engraved with veteran’s names from each era surround these monuments.
Wyoming’s Veteran’s Memorial Garden Walk of Honor
These bricks are placed twice a year: once in the spring for Memorial Day and once in the fall for Veteran’s Day. It is hoped that this Walk of Honor will continue to grow and that it will not only serve as a place to honor veterans, but that it will also become an educational walkway for the greater community.
Memorial Bricks are $40.00 each, and this includes engraving and placement. If you are interested in purchasing a brick in order to honor a veteran, please do one of the following:
Open the link in a new tab
Print and complete the form
Return it with a check or money order to:
Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department
1155 – 28th Street SW
P.O. Box 905
Wyoming, MI 49509-0905
Complete and submit the online application Online Memorial Brick Application
When submitting your application, please be aware that orders take 6 to 8 weeks for the bricks to be completed and shipped. April 1 is the deadline for a brick to be placed for Memorial Day and September 1 is the deadline for a brick to be placed for Veteran’s Day. If you have any questions or need assistance in completing the application, please call the the Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department at (616) 530-3164.
by Susan Lamos When you hear the word soldier does it bring a vision to your mind? Do you have someone you call, “my soldier?” It might be your grandfather Chet, whose wrinkled voice on rare occasion will offer the story of crawling on his belly with General McArthur’s Army during WWII. He might tell of the blaring momenthe realized those buddies who flanked his body there in the dirt were gone forever.
Your soldier might be Dick, your father perhaps, who left his unopened college books to battle on hill 812 in Korea. He moves tall through his life, telling many he meets, “Dog Company, 2nd battalion, 5th regiment…1st Marine Division sir,” as he rubs at the phantom pain in an empty shirt sleeve.
Perhaps your eyes see his brother Bob who 10 years post Korea was driven to continue his brother’s service. This war is Viet Nam. As a Navy Corpsman he aided many wounded. Knowing after he came home that there were more bodies in the fields awaiting rescue, he returned for a valiant second tour…this time going closer from the pilot’s seat of an Army helicopter.
Is your soldier Steve, a 44 yr. old Marine, who served his country in the Middle East? His intelligence work took him through many heart wrenching years both in his conscious psyche and meditating soul. Steve walked out the front door of his California home one February night. All contact ceased.
You might find your soldier in the face of someone at a Veterans Day parade. He could be the one standing next to you, who has quietly slipped away from his family to pay tribute with fellow comrades. Many who line the streets come alone with their story marinating in their hearts. A wiped tear from a lone serviceman, a tight but treasured uniform worn in the cavalcade or an American Legion hat carefully donned by an amputee in a chair, they are all there.
On November 11th our country remembers, honors and pays homage to our men and women in uniform. Search for your personal reason to support our troops and leaders today. Find it in those around you, knowing their sacrifices continue to give us our freedoms. Try and understand their passion and love of “Old Glory,” as she passes by. To some who have traveled further from the agonies in their mind than to where the original battle was fought…that beautiful flag stands more than their own life…it represents yours.
