FLINT, Michigan — The City of Flint joins other municipalities, including the State of Michigan, in declaring November “Veterans and Military Families Month.”
The City Council and the Mayor’s Office unanimously passed this resolution on Monday, Nov. 28, during the regularly scheduled council meeting with the vision of formally acknowledging local veterans and families yearly.
Newly elected Council Vice President and 2nd Ward Councilperson Ladel Lewis drafted the legislation, making this day possible. "It is essential to be in tandem with the rest of the nation by honoring our current, present, and future heroes as well as their families," said Lewis. "We can’t move Flint forward without formally acknowledging their service."
With the assistance of local event planner Delores Johnson, founder of “Military Hidden Figures" Magazine, a special order was coordinated with the Michigan Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers Armor Guard to lead the salute to the flag. According to Johnson, "veterans and their families were blessed to be a part of the program. I look forward to participating next year."
Flint Firefighter and Active-Duty Staff Sergeant Kevin Grayden (National Guard) and retired veterans Greg Hare (Army) and Dewayne Clemons (Army) received a special acknowledgment from Council, thanking them for their continued service in the community. "We are looking forward to doing it bigger and better every year," said Lewis.
According to the resolution, the State of Michigan is home to more than 550,000 veterans and their families. “You are not serving alone,” Grayden says. "It’s literally a family affair. I couldn’t serve if I didn’t have the support of my family."
If you would like to be a part of this yearly celebration, please contact Councilperson Lewis at (810) 407-2877 or [email protected]
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