20th Anniversary of Washtenaw County Vietnam Memorial

On November 10, 2011, our VVA310 Chapter celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Under the skillful guidance of MC Lucy Ann Lance, the ceremonies were festive and inspirational. Our Keynote Speaker was BG Price, US Army (Retired). Gen. Price (right) is a veteran of the Korean War.

Special thanks for the success of the celebration are due to Ypsilanti Township Clerk Brenda Stumbo (left) and to the Ypsilanti Township Board. They have provided us with the use of the Civic Center building, including extra seating for our guests. They also set up the beautiful flags and provided personnel for the cleanup after the celebration. All those services and more are very much appreciated.

The Planning Committee was composed of John and Jane Kinzinger, Jack McManus, Vance McCrumb, Roy Hall, Brenda Stumbo, and Sharon and Bob Kwiecinski.  They deserve huge appreciation for months of preparation, with attention to minimal details, bringing about a memorable occasion for all.

The volunteering spirit of VVA310 shone brightly as "Friends of VVA310," singers Pat Lubomski and Daisy Mull, bugler Ralph Harris, and others did their part to bring about our celebration. We are also very thankful to an anonymous member of VVA310, who donated the funds to pay for the entire ceremony! This is much appreciated indeed! May God bless you!

Frenchie's Restaurant in Ypsilanti provided the ever-so-important food catering. As usual, Frenchie's came through with flying colors. The food was delicious and very plentiful. Thank you for that service!

Of central importance to the celebration were the families and friends of those individuals whose names are on the Memorial. Our remembrance celebration offered them a time to memorialize, remember, and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.

Commemorative Coin

coin

The occasion was also marked by a commemorative coin, designed by the committee. Each family member was given a commemorative coin in a velvet case, as a lasting and fitting memento of the celebration. The words on Side B are from the plaque on the center panel of our Memorial.  Those words were authored by Memorial Committee and Chapter member, Tom Fifield.

A special feature of the celebration was the initiative by the Ypsilanti Township to rename the drive toward the Memorial as "Veterans Memorial Drive." The newly renamed drive was lined with one hundred American flags, displaying the glory of the celebration.

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