Plans are in the works for Honor Guard pasta dinner

Plans are underway for the 26th annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser to support the Clinton Township Police Honor Guard on April 16 at the Mirage Banquet Hall.

The four-hour event seeks to bring in funds to help the police department’s self-financed Honor Guard trip to Washington, D.C. for Police Memorial Week in May.

“This event would not be successful without the continued support from our local businesses and community members who have generously donated awesome raffle prizes,” said Detective Lt. Michael Vasilovski.

But the dinner is also something of a homecoming for the Clinton Township community as past and former township elected officials, employees, police officers, firefighters, and community members use the event to reconnect with each other.

“This is a great community event that draws approximately 1,000 residents from all over the county,” Vasilovski said. “As much as we do this for our unit, we also do it for our local businesses as well as the community.”

At last year’s fundraiser, more than 120 car dealers, funeral homes, service clubs, bowling alleys, fruit markets, and other community-minded individuals also donated prime merchandise to be raffled off prizes, with the proceeds going to the Honor Guard team.

Some Macomb County political heavyweights were also in attendance, including Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Toia, County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, County Commissioner James Perna, Clinton Township Clerk Kim Meltzer, and former Clinton Township police chief and current planning commissioner Bruce Wade.

The Mirage, located on 18 Mile Road, just east of Garfield Road, serves about 1,100 dinners for the fundraiser, according to the center’s owner, Moe Rashid.

Rashid purchased the banquet center in 2022, so this year will be his second turn at the event. He provides a discounted rental fee for the unit, to keep more of the proceeds in the department’s pockets, he said.

Rashid anticipates another full house on April 16.

“The people who come here are fantastic, the event is fantastic. They are a valued part of our community,” said Rashid, who resides in Troy.

Proceeds will help the Honor Guard members pay for their uniforms, equipment and other costs associated with allowing the unit to attend Police Week in Washington, D.C. to honor law enforcers killed in the line of duty and their families.

Clinton Township’s honor guard — with more than 25 years in, the longest-serving unit in Macomb County — is routinely handed key assignments at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington including the annual wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Ceremony

Two township officers — former police Chief Fred Posavetz and Sgt. Richard Vauris — both have their names etched on a memorial wall that carries the names of all fallen officers in the country. Posavetz died from complications from COVID in 2020 and Vauris was shot to death by a despondent gunman in 2001

The fundraiser is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 at the Mirage Banquet Hall, 16980 18 Mile Road, Clinton Township. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $12 for kids 6-12, and children 5 and under eat for free.

Tickets are available 24 hours a day at the Clinton Township Police Department, 38975 Groesbeck Highway (north of 16 Mile Road). Tickets are also available at the door, or can be ordered through 586-493-7836 or via email at Nielsen@clintontownship-mi.gov