Ortonville VFW Honor Guard presents ‘Salute to Service’ at Brandon High School
The Ortonville VFW
Post 582 Honor Guard presented the colors for the national anthem at the recent “Salute to Service — Military, Veterans and 1st Responders tribute” at the Brandon High School Football game in Ortonville, Sept. 24.
Brandon High School Football honored Eric Overall, first responders, police officers, firefighters, military and veterans at this annual remembrance.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Overall was killed in the line of duty early Thanksgiving morning in 2017. He was a Brandon High School liaison officer. The Eric Overall First Responders Scholarship for Brandon High School seniors was set up in his name.
Veteran Heroes Post Cmdr. Dennis Hoffman with Honor Guard members John Wudarcki, Steven Jurewich, Craig Whitaker, Carl Jeffrey and Cliff Filhart carried the flags presenting the colors.
The post would like to increase its membership, for more information about joining, call Cmdr.Dennis Hoffman at 248-627-1065.
Clarkston American Legion CampbellRichmond Post 63
Steve Willett has been post commander for the past three years. Willett served in the Army from 1988 to 1991. He was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky with the 101st Airborne in the anti-tank infantry. He worked on all positions, driver, gunner and loader on the TOW Missile. He attended Air Assault School in 1988 learning to rappel out of helicopters and attended Jungle Training in Panama in 1989. He was deployed to the Middle East during Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991.
He said about serving as commander of the post, “I serve because it’s a need-we’re here to help veterans and it’s something I know I needed to do,” Willett said.
He said that he worked his way up at the post going through other officer positions and then he became commander.
“It was an honor to be elected and I was grateful for that and just want to help other veterans and keep the organization going,” Willett said.
The post was founded in November of 1930. Namesakes Campbell and Richmond were both Army infantry and both were killed in World War I. Campbell is buried in France and Richmond in Ortonville.
The current list of post officers includes 2nd ViceCmdr. Tom Romzek, Adjutant John Ousnamer, Finance and Service Officer Jerry Grzywinski, Trustee Wayne Fisher and Sgt.-atArms Don Carter.
The post has 200 members and would like to increase its membership. The post is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and opens at noon on Saturday and Sunday. It is at 8047 Ortonville Road in Clarkston. The post phone number is 248-625-9912.
Upcoming events
• Clarkston American Legion Post 377 to host Open Mic Night from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8 and Karaoke at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at 4819 Mary Sue Avenue. For more information, call 248-6739301.
• Highland-White LakeMilford VFW Post 9914 to host a Steak, Rib, Fish or Chicken dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at 3200 N. Duck Lake Road, Highland. The cost is $16 for steak and rib combo, $14 for steak, $10 for fish or chicken. For more information, call 248-8879914.
• Royal Oak American Legion Post 253 to host Meatloaf dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at 1505 N. Main St. The cost is $12. For more information, call 248-546-0490.
• Miracle Quilts for Our Wounded Troops to meet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Independence Village, 701 Market St., Oxford. Founder and CEO of Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment veteran Stephanie Shannon to speak at 1 p.m. about her work with female veterans in Oakland County. Bring basic sewing supplies, sewing machine and extension cord. Quilters may work on their own project or check out one of the quilt kits available. For more information, call Carole 248-3218669.
• Waterford VFW Post 1008 to host a Fundraiser Quarter Auction for Christmas Food Baskets and
Toys, Saturday, Oct. 16, at 1690 Airport Road. Local businesses have donated items for auction. Paddles are 1 for $3, 2 for $5. Paddles and quarter chips will be available at the door. Items are priced from 0 to $100. Doors open at 6 p.m. Bidding starts.at 7 p.m. For more information, call 248674-2826.
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.