Special Projects
“MICHIGAN REMEMBERS” POW-MIA MEMORIAL
The “Michigan Remembers” POW-MIA Memorial is a beautiful bronze tribute honoring 84 Michigan POW-MIAs from the Vietnam War — 35 with remains returned and 49 who remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.
The “Michigan Remembers” POW/MIA Memorial is a collaboration between the POW Committee of Michigan and Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens. Since the unveiling and dedication on September 19, 1986, the Memorial has become a focal point for National POW/MIA Recognition Day activities in Michigan, and is visited year-round by POW-MIA family members, veterans and others who come to honor the men represented there as well as all who remain unaccounted for from all of our nation’s wars.
Several enhancements have been made to the memorial site since the 1986 dedication. An eternal light (maintained by the Prisoner of War Committee of Michigan), a stairway (made possible by VVA Chapter 154) and a flagpole (donated by Ford Motor Company) were added prior to 1990. Since then, a 3-sided granite Vietnam Memorial, a WW II Memorial, a marker honoring Michigan MIAs from the war in Iraq, a mural, and a handicap accessible stage area have been incorporated into this place of honor.
The “Michigan Remembers” POW-MIA Memorial is located at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens, 43300 West Twelve Mile Road (at Novi Road) in Novi, Michigan.
The “Michigan Remembers” POW/MIA Memorial is a collaboration between the POW Committee of Michigan and Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens. Since the unveiling and dedication on September 19, 1986, the Memorial has become a focal point for National POW/MIA Recognition Day activities in Michigan, and is visited year-round by POW-MIA family members, veterans and others who come to honor the men represented there as well as all who remain unaccounted for from all of our nation’s wars.
Several enhancements have been made to the memorial site since the 1986 dedication. An eternal light (maintained by the Prisoner of War Committee of Michigan), a stairway (made possible by VVA Chapter 154) and a flagpole (donated by Ford Motor Company) were added prior to 1990. Since then, a 3-sided granite Vietnam Memorial, a WW II Memorial, a marker honoring Michigan MIAs from the war in Iraq, a mural, and a handicap accessible stage area have been incorporated into this place of honor.
The “Michigan Remembers” POW-MIA Memorial is located at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens, 43300 West Twelve Mile Road (at Novi Road) in Novi, Michigan.
Spirit of ’45 Weekend
In 2010, the U.S. Congress voted unanimously for an annual “Spirit of ’45 Day” to preserve and honor the legacy of the men and women of the WWII generation.
Louisville, KY – Board member Cindy Stonebraker, along with League members Loretta & Ed Sherod participated in the weekend long event. Statewide observances at veterans’ organizations and assisted living facilities on Friday, August 14; festival and canteen dance on Saturday, August 15 in Louisville; statewide wreath layings on Sunday, August 16
For more information, please visit http://www.spiritof45.org/national_spirit_of_45_day1.aspx
Louisville, KY – Board member Cindy Stonebraker, along with League members Loretta & Ed Sherod participated in the weekend long event. Statewide observances at veterans’ organizations and assisted living facilities on Friday, August 14; festival and canteen dance on Saturday, August 15 in Louisville; statewide wreath layings on Sunday, August 16
For more information, please visit http://www.spiritof45.org/national_spirit_of_45_day1.aspx
VFW Youth Scholarship Competition Deadline Quickly Approaching
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (September 23, 2014) — The VFW is still accepting entries for the 2014-2015 VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen scholarship competitions. The deadline for student entries in both contests is Nov. 1.
The VFW’s scholarship competitions are dedicated to promoting patriotism among America’s youth. Students are asked to submit an essay in response to a question or statement on a subject that encourages them to consider how democratic ideals and principles apply to their lives. Each year the VFW awards more than $3 million in scholarships and awards to middle and high school students who participate in the two competitions.
This year’s Voice of Democracy theme asks students, “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future.” The Voice of Democracy scholarship competition is an audio-essay competition open to students in grades 9-12. The national winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
The Patriot’s Pen competition is open to students in grades 6-8. This year, students are asked to reflect on the statement, “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.” The national winner will receive a $5,000 award. Click here for the details.
Students should submit their entry (along with a completed entry form) to their participating local VFW Post.
-VFW-
ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans’ service organization comprised of combat veterans and eligible military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation’s largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans’ organization. With nearly 1.9 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in almost 7,000 Posts worldwide, “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.” The VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs worldwide. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.
Contact: Randi K. Law, Communications Manager, VFW National Headquarters, [email protected].
The VFW’s scholarship competitions are dedicated to promoting patriotism among America’s youth. Students are asked to submit an essay in response to a question or statement on a subject that encourages them to consider how democratic ideals and principles apply to their lives. Each year the VFW awards more than $3 million in scholarships and awards to middle and high school students who participate in the two competitions.
This year’s Voice of Democracy theme asks students, “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future.” The Voice of Democracy scholarship competition is an audio-essay competition open to students in grades 9-12. The national winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
The Patriot’s Pen competition is open to students in grades 6-8. This year, students are asked to reflect on the statement, “Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans.” The national winner will receive a $5,000 award. Click here for the details.
Students should submit their entry (along with a completed entry form) to their participating local VFW Post.
-VFW-
ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is a nonprofit veterans’ service organization comprised of combat veterans and eligible military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is the nation’s largest organization of war veterans and its oldest major veterans’ organization. With nearly 1.9 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in almost 7,000 Posts worldwide, “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS.” The VFW and its Auxiliaries are dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs worldwide. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.
Contact: Randi K. Law, Communications Manager, VFW National Headquarters, [email protected].
Putting a Face With a Name
For more than a decade, the League has supported the work of one of our family members to collect photographs of all those who were originally listed as missing in action and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. This project, “Putting a Face With a Name” has been sustained over the years by the tireless dedication of Candace Lokey and her husband, Mike, and is almost complete.
The purpose of the project is to collect a photograph depicting each of the men who were missing in action or killed in action and not recovered at the end of the Vietnam War. Currently, of the men originally listed as MIA or KIA/BNR, the project is missing only eight photographs. The names of those still needing a photo are:
Allen L. Blewett, Civilian, United Kingdom 7/14/1962, Laos
Frank L. Bytheway, Civilian, Texas 10/2/69, North Vietnam
Robert A. Cairns, USAF, Highland, CA 6/17/1966, South Vietnam
Isom C. Cochran, Jr., USA, Houston, TX 5/23/68, South Vietnam
Benjamin D. DeHerrera, USA, Colorado Springs, CO 11/19/1967, South Vietnam
Carroll J. Deuso, USN, Richford, VT 12/15/70, North Vietnam
Edwin J. Martinez-Mercado, USA, New York, NY 11/11/1967, South Vietnam
Dan D. McConnaughhay, USN, Artesia, CA 2/5/66, South Vietnam
If you or someone you know has access to a photograph of any of these men, or a lead on finding such a photo, please contact the League office at 703-465-7432 or admin@pow-miafamilies
Run For The Wall: As in years past, photos of our missing loved ones with their bios are being prepared for riders with Run For The Wall to carry across country from LA to DC. The photos will be left at The Wall over Memorial Day weekend. This is a great opportunity to raise public awareness across the nation that we still need accountability for our POW/MIAs. If you’ve already submitted a photo, no further action is needed. If you would like to submit a photo/bio of your family member to be carried to The Wall, please email Karoni Forrester, [email protected].
The purpose of the project is to collect a photograph depicting each of the men who were missing in action or killed in action and not recovered at the end of the Vietnam War. Currently, of the men originally listed as MIA or KIA/BNR, the project is missing only eight photographs. The names of those still needing a photo are:
Allen L. Blewett, Civilian, United Kingdom 7/14/1962, Laos
Frank L. Bytheway, Civilian, Texas 10/2/69, North Vietnam
Robert A. Cairns, USAF, Highland, CA 6/17/1966, South Vietnam
Isom C. Cochran, Jr., USA, Houston, TX 5/23/68, South Vietnam
Benjamin D. DeHerrera, USA, Colorado Springs, CO 11/19/1967, South Vietnam
Carroll J. Deuso, USN, Richford, VT 12/15/70, North Vietnam
Edwin J. Martinez-Mercado, USA, New York, NY 11/11/1967, South Vietnam
Dan D. McConnaughhay, USN, Artesia, CA 2/5/66, South Vietnam
If you or someone you know has access to a photograph of any of these men, or a lead on finding such a photo, please contact the League office at 703-465-7432 or admin@pow-miafamilies
Run For The Wall: As in years past, photos of our missing loved ones with their bios are being prepared for riders with Run For The Wall to carry across country from LA to DC. The photos will be left at The Wall over Memorial Day weekend. This is a great opportunity to raise public awareness across the nation that we still need accountability for our POW/MIAs. If you’ve already submitted a photo, no further action is needed. If you would like to submit a photo/bio of your family member to be carried to The Wall, please email Karoni Forrester, [email protected].