TAYLOR — Michigan’s two U.S. senators and the nation’s longest-serving congressman will be among the dignitaries present for the city’s annual Veterans Memorial Day ceremony.
The day also marks the grand opening of the Taylor American Warriors Museum inside City Hall.
The annual tribute to veterans “ both living and deceased” is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Garden in Cameron G. Priebe Plaza just east of City Hall, 23555 Goddard Road.
May 16 is National Armed Forces Day, which falls two Saturday’s before Memorial Day. The city’s “day to remember” will feature speeches by dignitaries, patriotic music and the presentation of colors and memorial wreaths. There will be participation by members and veterans of all branches of the military, war re-enactors, military vehicles and much more, organizers say.
The ceremony will include a tribute to U.S. Rep. John Dingell, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Congress. U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow (both D-Mich.), state, county and local government leaders are among the dignitaries scheduled to be in attendance.
Joining them at the speakers’ podium will be Taylor Mayor Cameron Priebe; Army Brig. Gen. Michael Nevin, commander of the 177th Military Police Brigade; and Paula Zasadny, the mother of Army Spec. Holly McGeogh, the young Taylor woman who was killed during the war in Iraq. A Medal of Honor winner from Michigan is expected to be on hand as well.
After the ceremony, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the armed forces museum, which was established as a tribute to local military heroes. The museum, located in a room in the City Hall atrium, has been a dream of Councilman Butch Ramik, who served as a U.S. Army drill sergeant and paratrooper, served in the Republic of Vietnam and earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
The museum will feature a variety of stories, photos, uniforms, equipment, artifacts and memorabilia of armed forces veterans, past and present, from Taylor and beyond. Ramik, members of veterans organizations and other volunteers have been collecting items for months. Special storage cabinets will display the artifacts.
“This museum is for the armed forces, for the people who served this country,” Ramik said. “It is a tribute to those who allow democracy to exist. It will be something that makes people proud to be Americans.”
Zasadny is the primary organizer of the veterans memorial ceremony. She and Ramik are hoping for a great public turnout to honor military heroes during the remembrance and inside the museum.
Attendees will be invited to a lunch right after the ceremony outside City Hall and to visit the new museum.
Fundraisers, grants and sponsorships will help support the museum. To learn about sponsorship opportunities contact Ramik at (734) 341-1817.
For more information on Taylor’s Day to Remember, call the city’s Public Information Department at (734) 374-1447.
What: Taylor Veterans Memorial Day ceremony and grand opening
of the city’s American Warriors Museum
When: 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Veterans Memorial Garden in Cameron G. Priebe Plaza, outside
Taylor City Hall, 23555 Goddard Road
Who: The public is invited. The tribute to living and deceased veterans will include speeches by dignitaries, patriotic music and the presentation of colors and memorial wreaths. There will be participation by members and veterans of all branches of the military, war re-enactors, military vehicles and much more. Volunteers will serve lunch.
Featured Speakers Include: U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell, U.S. Senator Carl Levin, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Brig. Gen. Michael Nevin, Taylor Mayor Cameron G. Priebe, Councilman and museum founder Butch Ramik and Paula Zasadny (mother of the late Army Spec. Holly McGeogh)
Memorable Tributes: A special tribute to Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress; the grand opening of the Taylor American Warriors Museum; the introduction of a Michigan Medal of Honor winner
For more information: On Taylor’s Day to Remember, call the City of Taylor Public Information Department at (734) 374-1447. On the City of Taylor American Warriors Museum call Councilman Butch Ramik at (734) 341-1817.
Photo courtesy of city of Taylor
Councilman Butch Ramik (left) and Paula Zasadny, mother of the late Army Spec. Holly McGeogh, are two of the driving forces in creating the city of Taylor American Warriors Museum. Ramik conceived the idea for the museum. Zasadny is the key organizer of the veterans memorial ceremony and her daughter will be featured in the museum.