Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial Group to host The Victory Gala in Troy, honoring veteran Guy Stern
The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial Group is hosting The Victory Gala, Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Detroit Marriott Troy, 200 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy.
The memorial group will honor West Bloomfield resident Guy Stern, Ph.D., with The Victory Award at the gala. Nearing 100 years old, Stern is a WWII veteran and member of the Ritchie Boys.
The Ritchie Boys were a highly trained US Army military intelligence and counter-intelligence group made up of German speaking soldiers. Many were Jewish refugees. The group is known to have collected the majority of combat intelligence on the Western front. For many, the mission to defeat the Nazis was personal: many had lost family members in the concentration camps.
Following the war, Stern has dedicated his life to educating others. He received a Ph.D. in German Literature and taught at many universities. He recently appeared on “60 Minutes”.
The Victory Gala fundraiser will also include live and silent auctions, a sit-down dinner, and an update on The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial project. Registration is required, VIP tickets are $175 per person and include reserved seating and a signed copy of Stern’s autobiography “Invisible Ink”’. General admission tickets are $125 per person. Doors open at 5 p.m. Reserved seating is available. Discounts are available for WWII veterans, original Rosies, and group registrations of 10.
The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial project is a 501c3 nonprofit working to build the state’s officially recognized tribute to Michigan’s contributions during World War II. The memorial will be located at Memorial Park, at the northeast corner of Thirteen Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak.
To register or for more information, visit: michiganww2memorial.org/thevictory-gala-2021. For additional information about the event or The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial, email Judy Maten at judy.maten@michiganww2memorial.org or call 313268-1985.
Highland-White LakeMilford VFW Post 9914
Highland-White LakeMilford VFW Post 9914 Cmdr. Tom Oltesvig has been commander of the post for 12 years. He served in the Army from 1967 to 1970 and served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive from August of 1967 to August of 1968. He attended Airborne School in 1969.
Oltesvig served in armored reconnaissance on tanks and armored personnel
carriers. He drove, was a gunner, crewman and sergeant. His MOS Job Titles included: Tanks 11 E 10,20,30,40, and Recon11 D 10,20,30,40.
For his service in Vietnam, Oltesvig was awarded four Purple Hearts, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor and Combat Infantry Badge. He later joined the Michigan National Guard Reserves, attended Ranger school in 1978 and was stationed at the Pontiac Armory, Company F, 425 th Rangers and Selfridge Air National Guard Base with the US AF Air Guard Security Police 127th Fighter Wing from 1980 to 1982.
He has been a member of a post since his Vietnam years and is currently also a member of American Legion Post 216 and AMVETS 2006, both in Milford. He said many other members of his post are too.
Oltesvig said that he serves as commander because, ”I want to help veterans and veteran’s organizations.
Current officers include: Sr. Vice Cmdr. Sean Oltesvig, Jr., Vice-Cmdr. Robert Booth, Quartermaster George Wilson, Adjutant T. Bear Hall, Service Officer
Edward Rall, JudgeAdvocate Norman Maudlin and Trustees Shaun Coombs, Gene Sunich and Barney Hall.
The post supports the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, community service projects and veterans. It was founded in 1947, has 175 members and would like to increase its membership. The post is at 3200 N. Duck Lake Road in Highland. The post phone number is 248-887-9914.
Upcoming events
• Farmington American Legion Post 346 to host a Monday Dinner at the Post Fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 20, at 31775 Grand River Ave., Farmington. For more information, call 248-478-9174.
• Clarkston American Legion Post 377 to host Classic Car and Bike Night at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at 4819 Mary Sue Avenue. Karaoke at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 and Bingo at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28. For more information, call 248-673-9301.
• West Bloomfield Parks welcomes area veterans to join them for their free monthly Veteran Meet-Up, 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 6, as they tastetest chili from local restaurants. Veterans are welcome to bring a guest for a fee, resident $7, non-resident $9. Registration required at 248-451-1900.
MediaNews Group is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@ aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.