The Pontiac Veterans Memorial Corporation (PVMC) officially dedicated the Pontiac Veterans Memorial on Saturday, June 7, 2008 during a solemn and dignified ceremony at Perry Mount Park Cemetery in Pontiac, MI. Over 300 members from the Pontiac community, veterans, and their families attended.
Brigadier General John Kulhavi presided over the dedication in which over 18 armed services organizations from the community participated. Guests heard comments from dignitaries Clarence Phillips, Mayor City of Pontiac, L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive, Joe Knollenberg, Congressman, and John D. Cherry, Jr. Lieutenant Governor.
The key note address was given by Mr. John Buttermore, Vice President of Global Manufacturing, General Motors Corporation, a veteran himself. Buttermore shared the inspiring story of Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, who once said “If I can’t be a soldier, I’ll help a soldier.” He also reminded attendees that we as citizens of the Pontiac Community and the United States need to keep our eyes open and ears to the ground for ways we can help the people who risk their lives, and in some cases give their lives, for the freedoms we enjoy today.
The memorial project began in 1998 when the Pontiac Veterans' Group set out to collect all the names of those citizens who honorably served in all branches of the United States Armed Services in time of armed conflict or peace from the City of Pontiac. The living memorial currently honors over 3,800 City of Pontiac veterans dating back to the Revolutionary War and will continue to grow as the list of Pontiac residents serving in the United States Armed Forces grows.
The founding members of the PVMC felt it was important to involve the community in honoring these brave members of our city. Major donors include the Disabled American Veterans Pontiac Chapter 15, The Chrysler Foundation, General Motors Corporation, Laborers Local 1076 Labor Management Trust, Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital, United Auto Workers, Region 1, Tony Filippis and Wright & Filippis, Trinidad J. Martinez and Family, Russell P. Hill and Craig Hambly from Hambly & Company who managed the construction of the memorial.
The memorial was designed by William Holland of Notre Dame High School in 2000. The design is an inspiring structure of solid granite and includes many symbolic references to the proud history of military service in America.
The Sphere of Unity – Represents the citizen/soldiers who, despite differences in social, ethnic, religious, or economic backgrounds, were unified by a common cause.
The Stalwart Columns – Represent the support these common everyday citizens lent to the cause.
The Walls of Honor – These two angled walls represent resistance to the enemies of freedom…from within or out. The walls bear the names of all whom unselfishly served from the community.
The Walk of Honor consists of pavers engraved with messages of duty, service, gratitude, honor and remembrance. The path leads to the walls where the veteran’s names are displayed.
Post dedication the PVMC Board of Directors’ focus will shift to developing a scholarship program that will award scholarships to students in the City of Pontiac. Seed money for the scholarship program has been provided by General Motors Corporation, Powertrain Division and the Trinidad J. Martinez family.
The memorial can be seen at 878 N. Perry Street Pontiac, MI during the regular operating hours of Perry Mount Park Cemetery. For more information on the memorial please call Perry Mount Park Cemetery at 248-334-1563. Applications for the Walk of Honor and Wall of Honor can be obtained at the cemetery office.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
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