In honor of Veterans Day and in conjunction with Kent County’s observance of Operation Green Light, the University of Michigan Health-West has changed the illumination of its hospital tower to green.
The University of Michigan Health-West, 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming, will illuminate its hospital tower in green to express solidarity with veterans in observance of Veterans Day on both Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10 and 11.
Operation Green Light is a national initiative led by the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers. It aims to showcase support for veterans and raise awareness about the available resources at the county, state and federal levels.
The hospital’s ties with veterans include hosting the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Wyoming outpatient clinic on its campus, providing a range of essential services to veterans.
Operation Green Light sheds light on the programs and benefits available to veterans and their families through Kent County Veterans Services, including emergency funds, disability benefits, burial assistance, and more.
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.
However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, Nov. 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Veterans Day continues to be observed on Nov. 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls.
The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to Nov. 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
The public is invited to celebrate Veterans Day at the 5th Annual Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment Family & Friends Conference on Saturday, Nov. 11.
The conference takes place from noon to 4 p.m. at Hero’s Corner, 4809 Eastern Ave S.E. Kentwood.
The admission free event features everything from food, vendors, a 50/50 raffle, public officials, community leaders, music and veterans gifts.
(Courtesy, MIWVEC Veterans Conference)
The host of this event is Sgt. Stephanie Shannon, a 2023 MLive Women Who Shape the State Awardee, and the founder/CEO of MIWVE.
Shannon has designed this strategic, transformational, enrichment conference to bring the community in West Michigan together to build a vibrant and diverse community where veterans, family and friends focus on healing, uniting and supporting our nation’s heroes.
For more information, contact Sgt. Shannon at 810-373-5744, MIWVEC@yahoo.com and epowermiwomenvets.com
There are many ways to honor American’s veterans on this year’s Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, privately with friends and family who are veterans, and publicly with ceremonies at several locations.
WKTV brings you a few of them:
City of Kentwood
While the City of Kentwood’s city offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day, there will be a Luminary Walk at Veterans Park on Friday, Nov. 12, from 5:30-8 p.m.
Located at 355 48th St. SE, the park will have approximately a half mile of pathway lit up with luminaries decorated by community members. This event is free and open to the public, but “the entire event is outside so please bundle up so you and your family can stay comfortable,” according to the city website.
Public invited to flag ceremony at local Michigan Veterans Home
(Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs)
Michigan Veteran Homes will hold statewide Veterans Day activities to honor its veteran members and those who served before them, including at the Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids, located at 3000 Monroe Ave NE.
While the veterans home will host several “members only” events on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, including a wreath laying ceremony in the memorial garden, the public is invited to a lowering of the flag ceremony led by the United Veterans Council of Kent County at 1 p.m.
‘Black Hawk Down’ author at GVSU
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 (including the book on which the film “Black Hawk Down is based on) — will 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.
The Veterans Day Celebration 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.
Gilmore Car Museum weekend of free admission to vets, active duty
To thank America’s veterans for their “endless service and dedication,” Gilmore Car Museum is inviting all active, inactive and U.S. military personnel to free admission to museum, car collection, and all its 90-acre historic campus in Hickory Corners, just outside of Kalamazoo. The special admission is available starting Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, and running through Sunday, Nov. 14.
Attending veterans and military personnel should be sure to take special notice of the 1941 Bantam BRC-40 Reconnaissance Car, which is currently on feature display in the museum’s Campania barn. Prior to Ford and Willys production of “General Purpose” vehicles that would become known worldwide as the “Jeep,” these early BRC-40s were first produced for the U.S. Army by American Bantam Car Company, in Butler, PA, and also under contract by Checker Car Company in Kalamazoo.
For questions or more information, visit GilmoreCarMuseum.org or call 269-671-5089.
Most county offices closed for Veterans Day
All Kent County offices and health department clinics will be closed on Thursday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day, with two exemptions are: the Kent County Correctional Facility will remain open with regular hours; the Department of Public Works administration offices will be closed; however, all disposal facilities will remain open. For more information about and contact information for Kent County departments, visit accesskent.com.
In recognition of Veterans Day this week and in honor of all veterans, the Gilmore Car Museum is offering free admission to the museum this week through Sunday, Nov. 15.
The Gilmore, located at Hickory Corners just outside of Kalamazoo, will allow all active, inactive and veteran U.S. military personnel to take advantage of their free admission to the the museum, its car collection, and its 90-acre historic campus.
The Gilmore Car Museum is North America’s largest auto museum with more than 400 vehicles on display, according to supplied material. Its mission is to tell the history of America through the automobile.
“At the Gilmore Car Museum, we take great pride in honoring our country’s servicemen and women, who for generations have sacrificed to protect our freedoms, and protect the American way of life,” Josh Russell, executive director of the Gilmore Car Museum, said in supplied material. “Welcoming these veterans and active duty service people into our museum is just a small way to thank them for their service and dedication to our great country.”
The Gilmore points out that attending veterans and military personnel should be sure to take special notice of the 1941 Bantam BRC-40 Reconnaissance Car, which is currently on feature display in the museum’s Campania barn.
According to supplied material, prior to Ford and Willys production of “General Purpose” vehicles that would become known worldwide as the “Jeep,” these early BRC-40s were prototypes produced for the U.S. Army by American Bantam Car Company, in Butler, PA. Two additional prototypes were produced through a partnership between Bantam and Checker Car Company in Kalamazoo.
During Veterans Week at the museum, veterans and service-people are also entitled to a 10 percent discount on purchases from the Gilmore Car Museum store.
There will also be special hours for Veterans Week, 10 a.m., to 5 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, Nov. 12-15.
Upon arrival, service-people and veterans can present their Military ID, VA cards, veteran organization membership cards, or discharge papers at the entrance for free admission. For other attending family members or friends, tickets can be purchased either upon entry at the museum, or in advance at GilmoreCarMuseum.org.
