Veteran's Day

On Monday, the nation will celebrate Veteran's Day, originally known as Armistice Day, which is observed annually on Nov. 11 to honor all military veterans who have served in the armed forces.
Distinct from Memorial Day which honors those who died, Veteran's Day marks the anniversary of the end of World War I which formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. One year later, President Woodrow Wilson addressed the country on Nov. 11, and formally declared that Armistice Day should be commemorated every year with “solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service……and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the council of nations.”
Several special celebrations honoring veterans are set throughout the area.


IN CANTON:
As has become an area-wide tradition, Canton Township will pay tribute to area service men and women at the Annual Salute to Service event on Monday, Nov. 11. This free event will feature a 6 p.m. reception, followed by a 7 p.m. program at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill.
Canton will once again honor area service men and women who have served or who are currently serving in the Armed Forces. The event will feature memorabilia displays presented in the vestibule of The Village Theater, followed by the program that will take place on the main stage. Keynote speaker will be Michael Harris, president of the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America. Since his spinal cord injury in 1986, Harris has served as a director of the association board and well as the government relations director, and executive director, and now as the board president.
As a disability issues advocate, Harris has worked tirelessly to ensure that communities are inclusive through his dedication to address the needs of those living with a disability.  In addition to the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America, Harris also assists many other various charities and services in the area. Additional main stage presentations will include a special recognition of Tom Houdek, a World War II Veteran and POW, followed by the musical tributes of the Workman Elementary Choir, under the direction of Keri L. Mueller;  the Willow Run “Tribute” Rosie the Riveter Troupe;  and the Harmony Town Chorus.
“This free event is designed to thank and show Canton's support towards our area's service men and women, and their families,” said Joe Kvoriak, performing arts coordinator. “Each year, this special tribute brings together the community for a night of celebration and appreciation of those who have put themselves in harm's way in order to protect our country.”
VA Ann Arbor Health System will also be on site accepting donations throughout the event. Suggested items for donation include, but are not limited to: sweatpants, hoodies, colored T-Shirts, white T-Shirts, basketball shorts, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, shaving gel/cream, cans of coffee, Beanie Baby-style stuffed animals for inpatient birthdays, backscratchers, and adult coloring books and crayons. Sizes accepted for apparel donations are M through 5X.  Food items will also be accepted for snack packs such as granola bars, tuna and crackers/canned meat kits, and cheese/peanut butter and crackers.
The event is open to the public and no tickets are required. All ages are welcome to attend.
The Village Theater at Cherry Hill is located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road, Canton. For more information, visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org or call (734) 394-5300.

IN PLYMOUTH Tomorrow:
The Michigan Philharmonic will mark the 100th anniversary of Veterans (Armistice) Day with a musical journey honoring the men and women who served and died for their country. “A Celebration of Courage” takes place on Friday, Nov. 8, at First United Methodist Church in Plymouth. With music from Charles Ives, a World War I veteran, and Maurice Ravel ,who wrote a beautiful piece in remembrance of his own friends who perished in that war, to music from the movies such as Band of Brothers, and John's Williams haunting score to the movie, Lincoln, the concert will commemorate those who served.
The Choirs from First United Methodist Church and from Madonna University will join the orchestra for the final set of music on the concert featuring tunes like You're a Grand Old Flag and America the Beautiful along with Sibelius, This is My Song and Joseph Martin's Who Are the Brave.
A post-concert reception sponsored by Jimmy John's will conclude this patriotic music of remembrance. To help support veterans in the community, concert attendees are asked to bring a package of new athletic socks which will be distributed by Fisher House for service men and women in the VA Hospital. For more information on the services of Fisher House visit www.fisherhousemichigan.org

IN ROMULUS:
The annual Veterans Day Ceremony is set for 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at Romulus VFW Post 9658 located at  39270 W Huron River Dr. in Romulus.
The ceremony in open to the public. For more information on concerts, venues, artists and tickets, visit the Michigan Philharmonic website at: www.michiganphil.org or call (734) 451-2112 or email: info@michiganphil.org.

IN WESTLAND:
Texas Roadhouse in Westland will serve veterans and active members of U.S. military a free lunch on from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11.  For the ninth year, every Texas Roadhouse location across the country will participate in the free lunch event to honor the men and women of our armed forces.
All veterans - including all active, retired, or former U.S. military - can choose one of 10 entrees from the special Veterans Day menu, including a 6-ounce sirloin and two made-from-scratch sides plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/iced tea or coffee during lunch. Proof of service includes military or VA card, or discharge papers is requested.
In Westland, Texas Roadhouse is located at 36750 Ford Road.

IN BELLEVILLE:     
Yankee Air Museum will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday in honor of Veterans Day.  The museum is usually closed on Mondays. Yankee Air Museum is located at 47884 D Street, Belleville, Michigan.  Everyone is welcome to visit on this important holiday.
“Veteran's Day is special to all of us at the Museum.  We have a great collection of aircraft and artifacts highlighting our nation's aviation heritage.  Of course, the men and women who have served, or are serving, in our military, as well as their families, have made the freedoms we all enjoy possible.  Free admission to all is the least we can do,” said Kevin Walsh, executive director of Yankee Air Museum.
Veterans Day is an appropriate pause on the calendar to honor military service personnel and an exceptional opportunity for the Museum to do so, Walsh said.
“Our staff and volunteers honor the dedication of veterans, whenever and wherever they served.  We certainly encourage everyone to visit the Museum on Veteran's Day,” concluded Walsh.
Yankee Air Museum is located at 47884 D Street, Belleville, on the grounds of historic Willow Run Airport.

ALL AREA:
A Veteran's Resource Fair hosted by the Wayne County Treasurer Office, will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Bellagio Banquet and Conference Center, located at 23900 W. Warren Ave. in Dearborn Heights.
The fair is for all veterans, spouses and family members to help with healthcare, employment, housing, utility assistance and more.
For more information, contact Mario Morrow at (313) 806-0818 or Bruce Babiarz at 248-890-5030.