Veterans gather for ‘I Thank You’ luncheon

WARREN — Every military veteran has a story to tell.

Whether it’s painful memories of the sounds of war or battle scars that never healed, veterans share a common bond.

Approximately 100 of those veterans gathered Nov. 9 at Andiamo Warren for the annual “I Thank You” Veterans Day luncheon, hosted by 94.7 WCSX-FM disc jockeys Big Jim O’Brien and Ryan Logan of the “Big Jim’s House” morning show, which airs from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The radio station staff accepted nominations from family members and friends of veterans to attend the luncheon. Veterans also could put in their own names for consideration.

Veterans Day, held annually Nov. 11, is a federal holiday in the U.S. observed to honor veterans of the armed forces.

The service members enjoyed lunch courtesy of the classic rock radio station and the restaurant. There also were several guest speakers, and O’Brien stopped at each table to speak to the veterans personally. As a bonus, WCSX provided veterans tickets to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Dec. 23 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

“It’s an honor to be here with all of you. In this room, we’re all brothers and sisters,” said O’Brien, who served eight years in the U.S. Navy. “My dad was a (U.S. Army) Ranger in Korea. I had uncles that served in Germany in the ’50s as well. God bless the men and women who serve and the families as well who stay behind as we go and do some pretty crazy stuff for our country.”

Along with O’Brien and Logan, several other WCSX staff members attended to show their appreciation to the veterans. Among them was Marketing Director Ben Perez, whose two children have served in the military.

This was the sixth “I Thank You” luncheon.

“We started this at the radio station when Ryan was interning,” O’Brien said. “It continues to grow.”

Matthew Antieau was among the many luncheon guests. The New Boston resident served in the U.S. Navy from 1986 to 1990 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

“It’s outstanding that they’re doing this,” he said. “It shows appreciation.”

Antieau, 54, enlisted in the service because he felt like it was his duty. He said the military taught him discipline and it “pointed me in the right direction.” After the service, Antieau became a firefighter for the Flat Rock Fire Department. Presently, he volunteers his time at the Freedom Center Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus, which provides a respite to traveling military members, veterans and their families.

During the “I Thank You” luncheon, there was a special message played on a video screen from Bret Michaels, frontman of the band Poison.

“Thank you for everything you do for us. Happy Veterans Day,” the famed singer said. “I come from a military family. You rock our world.”

Attendees also got to see Michigan’s Traveling Memorial of Fallen Heroes, which is a patriotic wall made by local resident Bill Lynn. The display tells stories of the veterans who paid the ultimate price for our nation’s freedoms. It honors those killed in combat and from accidental deaths and suicides.

“The public needs to be reminded and our children need to be taught about the price our vets pay,” Lynn said.

The luncheon gave Karen Straffon the opportunity to invite everyone to Wreaths Across America to be held at noon Dec. 16 at Resurrection Ceremony, 18201 Clinton River Road in Clinton Township. Volunteers will place wreaths at gravesites of veterans. A wreath costs $17. Those interested in participating or sponsoring a wreath can contact Straffon at kcstraffon@comcast.net or (810) 278-0415.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel stopped by to wish all a happy Veterans Day. During his visit, he encouraged the lunch guests to seek out veterans services offered in Macomb County at the website vets.macombgov.org.

Amy Persyn, Marketing Director/1st Vice President of First State Bank, shared her thoughts with the veterans. Her grandfather, William Hope, was a medic in the Korean War. He died this past August at the age of 95. First State Bank has helped a handful of veterans acquire homes.

Vets Returning Home Founder and Director Sandy Bower also addressed the crowd, reminding them of the nonprofit organization’s thrift store, located at 29523 Gratiot Ave., in Roseville.  The store helps support the veterans who utilize services at the Vets Returning Home shelter located at 17955 E. 11 Mile Road in Roseville. For more information about Vets Returning Home, visit vetsreturninghome.org or call (586) 285-5606.

 

School children remember veterans
In honor of Veterans Day, students at Pinewood Elementary in the Warren Woods Public Schools district made it a priority to honor veterans this month. Some classes wrote letters and made cards for students’ parents and family members who served in the military.

Throughout the month, they also displayed a bulletin board in the hallway that included the names of veterans in their families and friendship circles. Faculty members who are veterans were also recognized.

The school’s speech language pathologist, Lorrie Garrity, had a large star on the wall. Garrity is married to a veteran, and the couple celebrated their 29-year wedding anniversary on Veterans Day.