Veterans Day ceremony to honor all who served

Veterans, their families, friends and the general public are invited to attend a Veterans Day ceremony honoring all who served in the armed forces of our country.

The Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly will host the observance, set for 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov.11. Kate Melcher, Army veteran and Buddy-to-Buddy program manager, will be the keynote speaker.

The ceremony will feature patriotic music by the New Century Chorale. Presentation of colors, a rifle salute and taps will be conducted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1008. The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and POW/MIA will also make a wreath presentation. The invocation and benediction will be conducted by Tom Meinhardt, state chaplain for the Vietnam Veterans of America.

The Great Lakes National Cemetery is one of two such National Shrines in Michigan. Opened for burials in 2005, the cemetery's 544 acres will be the final resting place for an estimated 244,000 veterans. Thus far, over 35,000 veterans and their eligible dependents have been interred at the site.

The Nov. 11 ceremony is one of a many across the area and the nation. The Great Lakes National Cemetery is located at 4200 Belford Road in Holly.

Anyone with questions about this ceremony may contact Garth Wootten, Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council president, at wootteng@oakgov.com.

Published: Tue, Nov 07, 2017