By BOB OLIVER
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS – One hundred years later they are still going strong.
That’s the theme as the Pvt. James D. Donovan VFW Post 78. 25620 Van Born Road, celebrates its 100th anniversary Friday.
“We’re the first VFW post in the state to reach 100 years and it’s somethingthat we’re very proud of,” Post Commander George Wells said.
As a nonprofit organization dedicated to the members of the U.S. armed forces and the local community, officers and volunteers at the post engage in a variety of projects
throughout the city.
“We try to do as much as we can to help the community,” Wells said, “whether that’s helping the Goodfellows make sure that kids can celebrate Christmas or collecting
school supplies giving them to local students in the fall. It’s about helping as much as we can.”
Wells and the post also were honored with a plaque recognizing the anniversary by the City Council and Mayor Dan Paletko during the council’s July 22 meeting.
“It was a real honor to be recognized,” Wells said.
Paletko said the city is proud of all of the work that the post does for the community.
“They participate in just about every civic event in the city and they’ve never not helped with anything we’ve asked for,” Paletko said. “We can’t say enough good things about them.”
To celebrate the anniversary the post will host a dinner at the hall open to both the public and military
veterans at 6 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $25 and the event will feature a buffet dinner, cash bar, disc jockey and indoor prizes.
State Rep. David Knezek (D-11th District) will be the guest speaker and U.S. Rep. John Dingell
(D-Dearborn) and his wife, Debbie, will be the guests of honor.
Wells said the officers and trustees spent about three months planning the event and hopes to see a full house to celebrate the oldest post in the state and honor military veterans.
“We hope as many people as possible can come out to the hall and enjoy a nice dinner, listen to good music and have a good time,” Wells said. “It’s a good cause and the support helps us give back to the community.”
For more information about the dinner, contact the Donovan VFW Post 78 through its Facebook page or by phone at 313-292-2223.
(Bob Oliver can be reached at [email protected].
com.)