History lessons coming to military museum

EASTPOINTE — The Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society will have two events this month that will honor the nation’s history.

On Saturday, Oct. 8, join Bette Kenward, president of the Eastern Michigan Women Ordnance Workers chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association, as she presents “Rosie’s Soup and Stories” from noon to 3 p.m.

The event will pay tribute to American women, symbolically known as Rosie the Riveter, who went to work in factories and shipyards during World War II as the men went off to war. Community members are invited to share their families’ Rosie the Riveter stories. Soup, bread and crackers will be served. Kenward likens having soup to hearing a good story.

“Soup is a comfort food. It warms you inside,” Kenward said. “When you’re hearing a story, it warms your soul.”

Kenward’s grandmother, Marion Hely Chapin, was a Rosie and worked at Budd Wheel in Detroit from 1943 to 1945.

“I never knew she was a Rosie until she passed away. This is why this is such an important issue to me. I just feel very strongly about honoring her legacy,” Kenward said. “Sharing their stories is how we honor the Rosie legacy. Rosie was more than a riveter. She did so many things. Not all the Rosies are with us.”

Or some are too ill to travel, which is why family members of Rosies are welcome to the event to share. Kenward makes legacy banners to honor each Rosie she meets. Each banner contains the Rosie’s name, where she worked and what job she had.

“Every time I meet them, they become my grandmother, too,” Kenward said. “They’re so modest and humble. They tell you, ‘I just did this for my country.’”

Kenward is the vice president for expansion of the American Rosie the Riveter Association. Her goal is to try to recruit more chapters.

“I have Hawaii, and I’m working on Alaska now,” she said.

There is no fee to attend Rosie’s Soup and Stories, but donations are appreciated and will benefit the Rosie Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in March. The mission of Honor Flight is to celebrate Rosie the Riveters by inviting them to share in a day of honor at the nation’s memorials.

“We are looking for additional Rosies who would like to go to Washington, D.C.,” Kenward said.

New members are always welcome to join the Eastern Michigan Women Ordnance Workers American Rosie the Riveter Association. For more information, email Kenward at rosieboop410@gmail.com or call her at (586) 295-0417.

“You just need to love Rosie, love America, love the patriotism,” Kenward said. “That’s kind of what it’s about.”

One week later, on Oct. 15, stop by the Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society for “A Walk Through History” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission will be by donation for the day.

The event will take a look at the lives of American military personnel who fought in battle. Local reenactors, dressed in period clothing, will represent various American conflicts going back as far as the Civil War. Presentations also will include a look at World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

MMTHS President Chris Causley said the presentations will be set up on the front lawn. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors.

Spectators can examine the uniforms and equipment from the past and also learn about historical reenacting. “A Walk Through History” is presented a couple of times a year at the museum.

“It’s been very positive. The reenactors bring their own equipment,” Causley said. “When you bring living history to people, it brings the stuff to life.”

The MMTHS is dedicated to preserving the stories of Michigan citizens who served from World War I to the present. The 11,000-square-foot museum exhibits military equipment, weapons, uniforms and other artifacts.

“We’re just trying to preserve the stories of Michigan and its commitment to the defense of this nation over the last century,” Causley said.

The MMTHS is located at 16600 Stephens Road. For more information, visit www.mimths.com or www.facebook.com/MichiganMilitaryMuseum.