Great Lakes National Cemetery to host Veterans Day Ceremony
Great Lakes National Cemetery to host a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor all who have served, at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, at 4200 Belford Road, Holly Township. The ceremony will feature patriotic music and wreath presentations and presentation of the colors, rifle salute and Taps. The public is invited to attend.
Great Lakes National Cemetery is the second national cemetery built in Michigan and the 122nd in the national cemetery system.
The cemetery borders Fagan Lake and is located on a portion of a land grant from the federal government to Terrance Fagan in 1836.
In the 20th century, the property was purchased by Bryson Dexter Horton, a Spanish-American War veteran-turned-industrialist who invented the "Square D" switch. Horton's invention dramatically improved electrical safety, by encasing the switch in steel and protecting users from the live electrical current. Horton constructed a small house on the property in 1927, and reportedly entertained such preeminent locals as Henry and Edsel Ford, who both hunted and fished there.
Historically, the property served as farmland until it was acquired by the National Cemetery Administration in 2002.
Great Lakes National Cemetery was established in 2005, and the first burial took place on Oct. 17 of that year.
For the Veterans Day ceremony, all parking (except handicapped and volunteers) will be at Ascension Genesys Hospital parking lot, 1 Genesys Parkway, Grand Blanc. The hospital is three miles north of Belford Road just off North Holly Road on Pollack Road.
Shuttle buses will run 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. between the hospital parking lot and the GLNC General Assembly area.
For information, call 866-348-8603 or email or visit www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/greatlakes.asp .
Upcoming events
• The City of Birmingham's annual public Veterans Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony, co-hosted by the Piety Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is set for Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in Shain Park. This is the 13th year the DAR has co-hosted this event. They will be honoring veterans and placing wreaths at the site of the Civil War and WW II monuments in Shain Park across from the Birmingham City Hall. The guest speaker is John Maten, president of the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak. The Flag Color Guard is from the Oakland Squadron, Civil Air Patrol Cadets. The bugler is Lynn Popa, a DAR member from the Ezra Parker Chapter, Royal Oak. The bagpiper is Frank Stasa, and the soloist is Samantha Stafford. Bloomfield Community Television is broadcasting the event. A reception for veterans follows the ceremony in the Baldwin Public Library, Rotary Room downstairs. All veterans of all eras are welcome to attend. For more information, email local Piety Hill Regent Debbie Harrington at Holly High School to host a free Veterans Day Salute at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at 6161 East Holly Road, Holly. The event is open to the public and all veterans are welcome to attend. For more information, call Joe at 810-348-9960.
• Oakland County is participating in Operation Greenlight by displaying green lights on the Oakland County Circuit Court Building, starting at approximately 5 p.m. Nov. 9. It will remain green in the evening and overnight hours until dawn on Nov. 13. The National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers invite the nation's 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs to join Operation Green Light and show support for veterans by lighting buildings green for Veterans Day. By shining a green light, county governments and residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported, www.naco.org.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation Appreciation Days offer free park entry on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, with access to natural areas, trails, dog parks and all park amenities. For information, visit www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events/-npage-2.
• Oxford American Legion Post 108 to host Taco Tuesday Mexican Buffet from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 12 and Broasted Chicken Buffet from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov..13, and Fish dinners from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at 130 Drahner Road, Oxford. For more information, call 248-628-9081.
• Clarkston American Legion Post 377 to host Bingo from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 4819 Mary Sue Ave. For more information, call 248-673-9301.
• Clarkston American Legion Post 63 to host Euchre from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at 8047 Ortonville Road. For more information, call 248-625-9912.
• Holly American Legion Post 149 to host Vet to Vet Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, at 408 S. Saginaw St., Holly. All vets and their significant others welcome. Food provided. For more information, call 810-348-9960.
• Milford American Legion Post 216 to host Burger Nite from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at 510 W. Commerce Road, Milford. For more information, call 248-684-9919.
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 Allow two weeks' notice for scheduled events.
