2016 Veterans Day: Observances in Canton

CANTON, MI – Canton honors active military as well as veterans in a special Salute to Service ceremony Friday, at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, 50400 Cherry Hill Road.

This Veterans Day celebration will recognize military personnel currently in active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves, as well as veterans of the armed services for their exceptional commitment and dedication, according to Hometown Life.

The public is encouraged to attend this free event, presented by Canton Township. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the public to enjoy exhibited military memorabilia displays and a cookie and punch pre-show reception, prior to the start of the formal stage presentation at 7 p.m.

This year's honored guest will be U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dewey Smith, a Vietnam veteran who was one of the last eight soldiers of B Company who was rescued via helicopter by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles on May 15, 1967. This special presentation will include video interviews of Kettles, who recently fell ill after being awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, by President Barack Obama at the White House for his life-saving efforts of rescuing soldiers, who were trapped in a river valley in South Vietnam.

Kettles, a UH-1D Huey helicopter pilot who was serving as a flight commander assigned to the 176th Aviation Company, is credited with saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his own crew members. Hear Smith recall being rescued by Kettles, who was described by Obama, as "the reason they lived and came home and had children and grandchildren. Entire family trees, made possible by the actions of this one man.”

The program will also feature musical tributes sung by the Workman Elementary Choir, under the direction of Keri L. Mueller.

In addition to the formal presentation, items for service men and women will be collected by the Michigan Military Moms, including individual size or travel size: disposable hand and foot warmers; foot and body powder; Q-tips; Beef Jerky; hot chocolate mix; wipes; granola/power bars; and monetary donations to offset postage. Please note that all items must be small enough to fit a 12- by 12- by 8-inch U.S. Priority box. For more information, call 734/394-5300 or go to www.cantonvillagetheater.org.

Another Canton ceremony takes place at 1 p.m. at Heritage Park, 1150 Canton Center Road (South of Cherry Hill) In Canton.

Also, active military and veterans get free admission to the zoo on Friday.

Photo by Robert Couse-Baker via Flickr Commons