North Oakland VFW Honor Guard performs military honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery

Nov 06, 2023

North Oakland VFW Post 334 Honor Guard members perform military honors at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly Township, each month.

The Honor Guard travels to Great Lakes National Cemetery the third Tuesday each month, year-round. They are also requested to attend funerals at local cemeteries or funeral homes in the Lake Orion and Oxford area.

The Honor Guard participates in local parades as well as in local ceremonies, posting the Colors (U.S., POW/MIA, and Military Flags) as well as performing a rifle salute and Taps. Examples of these ceremonies are Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day and include the ceremonies at the Orion Veterans Memorial.

"All of our VFW Post 334 Honor Guard members are extremely proud to take part in the Honor Guard duties for our fallen veterans," said member Chuck Haskin.

"This is the reason we have signed up to cover one day a month at Great Lakes National Cemetery doing the rifle salute and Taps. Our only regret is that sometimes they have three funerals at different shelters going on at the same time, with two or three requesting Honors. We are only able to cover one shelter, therefore up to two veteran's families will not receive a rifle salute."

For more information, call Chuck Haskin at 248-420-8265.

American House Farmington Hills to host annual Flag Day Celebration at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 14.

American House welcomes Army veteran and former State Representative Rocky Raczkowski as guest speaker at the Flag Day Celebration. Following his graduation from college, Raczkowski was commissioned through the Officer Candidate School Program. He served in Operation Desert Shield and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service during combat operations. In 1996, he was elected State Representative in the Michigan State Legislature. He is the president of Imperium Logistics LLC, according to a press release.

The Flag Day celebration is a tribute to veterans who are still serving their country and those who gave their lives in service. This tribute to veterans who are still serving their country and those who gave their lives in service will feature a tribute to Rosie the Riveters by the Yankee Air Museum; this group represents the women who answered the call and went to work in factories, defense plants and the other jobs left vacant when the men left to fight in the war.

The event includes the introduction of the guest speaker by Mohamed Allie, executive director of American House Farmington Hills, and the presentation of colors by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 Honor Point Team Guard. Robin Beck will sing the National Anthem and "God Bless America." Chapter 154 President Gary Purcell will lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Following the guest speaker, there will be a flag-folding ceremony, closing remarks and a barbecue luncheon. For more information, call Paula Marsee 586-839-7922 or email [email protected].

Gov. Whitmer signed legislation on May 20, lowering costs of college tuition for military spouses and children. She joined National Guard members, their families and state lawmakers in Detroit and signed legislation that expands the Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance Program eligibility for spouses and dependents, according to a press release.

Tuition assistance helps with recruiting, retention and the overall quality of life for Guard members and their families. After Gov. Whitmer signed the bill, the Guard presented her with the Charles Dick Medal of Merit. The award is designed to recognize the contributions to the National Guard by elected representatives to legislative bodies at the state and national levels. Those in attendance included U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; Jeff Frisby, Executive Director, National Guard Association of Michigan; Simon Brackett, President, National Guard Association of Michigan. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/dmva.

• Miracle Quilts for Our Wounded Troops to host a meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at UAW Local 5960, 180 Silver Bell Road, Orion Twp. Attendees need to bring a sewing machine, extension cord and basic sewing supplies and stay for an hour or spend the day, or take the kits home and return at a later date. Pre-cut kits are available. For more information, call Carole 248-321-8669.

• Holly American Legion Post 149 to host Vet-to-Vet Dinner from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 19 at 408 S. Saginaw. All veterans and significant others are welcome. For more information, call 248-634-3822.

The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info. in the body of an email with subject line "Veterans Affairs" to Sharon Longman at [email protected]. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.

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