VFW participates in Ace Hardware’s ‘one million flag giveaway’
North Oakland VFW Post 334 Senior Vice-Cmdr. Randy Stetson and Quartermaster/Adjutant Chuck Haskin gave out 240 American flags at Ace Hardware in Lake Orion during Ace’s nationwide one million flag giveaway to honor fallen heroes.
Ace Hardware collaborated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) again this year to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country by giving away one million American flags nationwide on May 28 for Memorial Day tributes, according to a press release.
Consumers who visited a participating Ace store received a free 8” x 12” American flag. A second flag was donated to a local VFW Post to be used for marking and honoring veterans’ graves on Memorial Day.
Last year, over 500,000 American flags were given away to customers at Ace stores nationwide and Ace sent 550,000 flags to more than 1,900 VFW Posts for placement on veterans’ graves.
The American flag giveaway aligns with Ace Hardware’s long history of supporting veterans nationwide. Ace’s name is a commemoration of the “flying aces,” the courageous fighter pilots from World War I.
For more information, visit acehardware.com or newsroom.acehardware.com.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans’ organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces.
For more information, visit vfw.org. For more information about VFW Post 334, call Chuck Haskin 248628-8975.
World War II D-Day survivor Raymond Tarabusi honored at luncheon
Army veteran, two-time Purple Heart recipient and World War II D-Day survivor Raymond Tarabusi, a resident at American House Elmwood, was the guest of honor at a D-Day luncheon on June 6, the anniversary of D-Day, in Rochester Hills.
Dale Throneberry from Veterans Radio was a guest speaker at the luncheon.
World War II veteran Tarabusi was 18 years old when he landed in Normandy, France on Omaha Beach in the second wave of the invasion on June 12, 1944. He was shot on July 31, had his wound dressed and went back into battle and was later shot by a sniper on Aug. 3, but remained one of the last men standing in his division.
In addition to the two Purple Hearts, he has received various awards and commendations. In 1996, he visited Omaha Beach with a few of the other soldiers he had served with. The D-Day invasion was portrayed in the movie “Saving Private Ryan.”
Tarabusi remains active and continues to drive, leaving his home at American House on most weekends to visit with friends.
American House provides a wide range of senior living options, including independent living, independent living with assistance, memory care services provided by a third party, respite stays and hospice in Dearborn Heights, Farmington Hills, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights, and Westland.
For more information, call 248-852-1980 and visit americanhousemi.com.
Upcoming events
• Oakland County Veterans are invited to Small Business Bootcamp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at Oakland Community College, 22322 Rutland, Southfield and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at Oakland Community College, 7350 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford. Oakland County’s Veteran Services Division
is partnering with Business Forward to offer Small Business Bootcamp: a day-long series of workshops to help veteran-owned businesses grow and thrive. The topics include how to start a business and writing a business plan, marketing your business, resources for hiring veterans, Business Finance 101 and gaining access to capital, small business resources for veterans and gaining certification as a veteran-owned business. The cost is free, lunch is provided. Registration is required Register for June 16 at www.eventbrite. com/e/veterans-servicessmall-business-bootcamptickets-331976108477 and for June 23 at www. eventbrite.com/e/veterans-services-small-business-bootcamp-tickets-353971507307.
• Ortonville Recreation Equestrian Association to host Horse Ride for the Troops Fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18. The fundraiser’s proceeds will assist with shipping costs for Desert Angel Miracle Boxes for troops serving overseas. For more information, call Tamara Hartwig 810-7975151 and visit www.hadleyhills.com.
• American Legion Birmingham/Troy Post 14 to host Music Bingo at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at 1340 W. Maple Road, Troy. Mark off the song you hear to win. $2 per card or $5 for 3. For more information, call 248-362-2077.
The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send information 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.