EAST LANSING, Mich. – A formal dedication ceremony for the City of East Lansing’s new Veterans Monument will take place on Monday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. in front of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. Members of the media and community are invited to attend.
Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, the Adjutant General and Director of Military and Veterans Affairs of Michigan, will serve as the keynote speaker during the dedication. Maj. Gen. Vadnais commands and directs the Michigan Army and Air National Guard, with a total of 159 units.
Other speakers will include East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows, East Lansing Rotary Club President Ody Norkin and Master of Ceremonies Ron Springer, who served as a sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War.
About the Monument
The City of East Lansing and East Lansing Rotary Club partnered to raise community funds for the new monument, which will honor all veterans from the East Lansing community who have bravely served in the United States military and memorialize those who gave their lives while serving.
The Veterans Monument will be installed adjacent to the 2nd Lt. Sherrod E. Skinner Medal of Honor Memorial, which was dedicated on Veterans Day in 2013.
“Our plan was always to expand the area where the Medal of Honor Memorial was installed to honor all East Lansing veterans,” said East Lansing Parks, Recreation & Arts Director Tim McCaffrey. “We invite all area veterans and other community members to join us at the dedication of this new monument on Nov. 6.”
“It was an honor to, once again, partner with the City of East Lansing in raising the community funds to complete this meaningful project,” said East Lansing Rotary Club Community Service Chair Kristin Shelley. “We would like to thank all of our community donors for helping us pay tribute to our local heroes, who have served our country in times of war and peace.”
Donations are still being accepted for the East Lansing Veterans Monument. Visit https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/DocumentCenter/View/5223 for additional information. Community members can contact Jane Stone at (517) 319-6809 with questions or to make a credit card donation over the phone.