January 2024 Newsletter
Happy New Year!
A New Year with New Goals
Last year was a milestone year for The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial as we celebrated the dedication of Phase 1. But we are not done.
Our WWII vets and original Rosies are in their late 90's; many are over 100-years-old. Our goal is to have as many of them as possible see the completed Memorial.
We have launched a variety of campaigns and events to raise funds for future construction in an effort to cast a wide net. The total cost of the Memorial as designed is $2 million.
As a way to keep momentum going, we have set a short-term goal to raise $500,000 for Phase 2 construction. This will allow us to add additional statues and the 10' x 50' black granite entrance wall/Wall of Stars. The more raised, the more elements can be added to the current Memorial.
This is where you come in. Raising money is a monumental task which we cannot do alone.
Just click one of the tabs to help us reach our goal.
Make your donation today.
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Campaign Updates
We want to thank the following organizations for their contributions of $500 or more:
- Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital for their donation of $5,000. We look forward to growing our corporate relationships.
- The VFW Department of Michigan for organizing a state-wide campaign raising funds for the Memorial. We are receiving donations from Posts across the state and are grateful for the support of the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization.
We also want to thank individuals who made donations, including those honoring Walt Bayla, Murray Cotter, Fred Hollis, Jerimiah George Semerad, Jr, Crosby and Gladys Sparks, and Louis Joseph Stark.
Book of the Month
April 12, 1945: After years of bloody conflict in Europe and the Pacific, America is stunned by news of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's death. In an instant, Vice President Harry Truman, who has been kept out of war planning and knows nothing of the top-secret Manhattan Project to develop the world's first atomic bomb, must assume command of a nation at war on multiple continents—and confront one of the most consequential decisions in history. Countdown 1945 tells the gripping true story of the turbulent days, weeks, and months to follow, leading up to August 6, 1945, when Truman gives the order to drop the bomb on Hiroshima.
In Countdown 1945, veteran journalist Chris Wallace takes readers inside the minds of the iconic and elusive figures who join the quest for the bomb, each for difference reasons, including Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer, and the Soviet spies who secretly infiltrate the research team.
Perhaps most of all, the book is the story of an untested new president confronting a decision he knows will change the world forever. More than a book about the atomic bomb, Countdown 1945 is an unforgettable account of the lives of ordinary American and Japanese civilians in wartime as well as American soldiers fighting in the Pacific, waiting in fear for the order to launch a possible invasion of Japan. Told with vigor, intelligence, and humanity, this book is the definitive account of one of the most significant moments in history. (Taken from the Amazon description of the book)
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Sunday, January 7, 2024
WW II Legacy Memorial Latest Updates and News / FWD BCCd to VSOs
Saturday, January 6, 2024
Stuffed Animals Donation Delivery
District 4 Riders Stuffed Animal Donation Program:
Our District 4 Riders organization recently launched its "Stuffed Animal Donation Program." Rodney Gasaway, who serves as both our Riders Chaplain and the chaplain for the Chelsea, Michigan Fire Department, informed the Chelsea Fire and Police Departments about the program. They expressed interest in receiving some animals to help support their community services. Rodney personally delivered the animals to the city of Chelsea and did a great job.
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate
Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate:
The Adjutant General is authorized by the Governor of the State of Michigan to award the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate. An individual may be awarded the certificate if they meet all of the following requirements:
- The individual is a citizen of this state or was a citizen of this state while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, including the Michigan National Guard and reserve components).
- The individual was honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances.
- The individual served during the Vietnam War era (February 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975).
To submit for consideration, complete the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate Form.
Form Link = https://www.dmva.state.mi.us/vrs/Survey/35
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Michigan Veterans News & Resources for Jan. 3, 2024
New federal charter gives Native American veterans more paths to advocacy
The 2024 defense policy bill signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 22 includes the first federal charter for a Veteran Service Organization representing Native Americans.
A charter for the nonprofit National American Indian Veterans, or NAIV, is included in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The creation of the charter marks the culmination of a nearly 20-year effort by Native American veteran advocates.
The charter will allow the organization to testify about veterans' issues before Congress, Joey Strickland, a retired colonel of Choctaw descent who works as the group's chief of staff, told Military Times. The charter also provides a pathway for NAIV to have some of its members accredited by the VA, permitting them to log into VA systems and help veterans and their families with benefits claims — assistance that is currently lacking on tribal lands.
Together We Served celebrates veterans by offering a free plaque of their military service
Since its launch 20 years ago, Togetherweserved.com (TWS)—the leading online community of U.S. veterans—has provided its 2.3 million members the special opportunity to not only reconnect with the people they served with, but to preserve a detailed record of their military service, including unlimited photographs. This is so their families and future generations will know what they did serving our country.
In keeping with TWS's commitment to honoring the service of every veteran, hot off the press is TWS's brand new Military Service Plaque, according to VA News. The plaque features key service information, period-accurate graphics and a wide choice of era-specific backgrounds in a distinctive layout. The plaque is available, free of charge, to every veteran who served in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard.
Visit the TWS website to claim yours.Once registered, you simply add your service photo, medals and awards, hashmarks and any proficiency badges earned on your plaque builder page. These then appear "as worn" on uniform. When complete, your full-sized plaque is automatically sent to you as a hi-resolution image file ready to print. If you have any questions or need assistance, TWS's veteran-manned help desk is always available, or email admin@togetherwesrved.com for a quick response.
How many veterans will be in Congress after the election?
Congress hasn't had at least 100 members of the House and Senate with military backgrounds since 2017. But the veterans caucus in the legislature right now is close enough to challenge that mark in the 2024 elections, Military Times is reporting.
The number of veterans in Congress has steadily declined since the 1970s, a shift which mostly reflects the change to the all-volunteer force and the dwindling number of Americans who enlist annually.
Veteran advocates have worried that decline has also taken away valuable insight for lawmakers as they craft national security policy, veterans support plans and defense budget proposals.
Michigan veterans serving in Congress include Republicans John James (Army) and Jack Bergman (Marine Corps) in the House and Democrat Gary Peters (Navy) in the Senate.
Starting a franchise as a veteran
You may be reconsidering your professional future as the new year dawns. For veterans who don't want to work for someone else, there's an option worth considering: Starting a franchise.
Owning a business through franchising is a perfect hybrid between working for an organization and starting your own business from scratch.
From the training veterans received in the military to the free franchise coaching available to them, Navy veteran Chris Hale offers six reasons why veterans should continue starting a franchise at VA News.
Veterans interested in starting a business can visit vetrepreneur.com to get started.
From VA disability to job resources, the MVAA's got your back
The MVAA exists to connect veterans and their families to the benefits and resources they earned for their service. These benefits include federal, state and local assistance. To list just a few:
- VA health care
- VA disability compensation
- Emergency assistance
- Employment resources
- Education resources
- Recreation benefits
- … and many more
We can also help you locate your DD-214 discharge papers and get you connected to an accredited Veteran Service Officer to help you file VA claims free of charge.
To see the full array of benefits and resources you may be eligible for, visit Michigan.gov/MVAA or call us at 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838).
Michigan Vietnam veteran honored by his niece as she's promoted to lieutenant colonel
Danny Walburn pins lieutenant colonel insignia on his niece, Ashley Sykes. Below, Walburn holds his Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate.
On one special day last month, Ashley Dykes was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Michigan National Guard while her uncle, Danny Walburn, was honored for his service in the Vietnam War.
Dykes and Walburn share a special bond through their service. Dykes joined the Army in 2003, then the Guard in 2007. Walburn joined the Army in 1969 and served in Vietnam as a tank commander.
On Dec. 21, Dykes was pinned as a lieutenant colonel by her uncle at his home in Gladwin. Normally the promotion would be held at Ft. Custer in Battle Creek, but because Walburn is unable to travel, the Guard allowed the ceremony to be held at his home.
After pinning his niece, Walburn was surprised with a Michigan Vietnam Veteran Recognition Certificate from the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Adjutant General Paul D. Rogers.
Read more at michigan.gov/MVAA.
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ARE IN CRISIS:The Veterans Crisis Line is staffed by caring, qualified crisis responders who are there to help. Many of these responders are veterans themselves.
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