Shelby Township Board recognizes local veterans, groups for community support

It is a common practice to say thank you when someone sees a man or woman in military uniform, but when that individual retires and removes his or her uniform expressing gratitude becomes more difficult.

This is why the Shelby Township Board of Trustees chose to express its gratitude to the community’s veterans at its July 15 Board meeting by presenting proclamations of recognition for community service to all four local veterans groups as well as Shelby Township Veterans Events Coordinator Phil Randazzo.

“While it is pivotal we support our brave men and women that serve our nation in the military, it is equally important that we support those men and women when they come home from service and re-enter our community as veterans,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said.

“Leading the way in this cause are the veterans themselves. If you need an example of how you or your family can serve and support those that served for us in the U.S. military, look no further than our local veterans groups and individuals.”

Stathakis cited the groups’ many programs and initiatives that support veterans financially and socially as well as programs that give back to the community at large.

“Regretfully, we can only list a handful of their services on the proclamations, but I assure you the value our veterans have in our community cannot be fully recognized with words,” Stathakis said. “While a veteran’s service career may have ended, you can truly see by the way they live their lives that service is more than a job for them.”

Among the groups recognized were the Victor Rieck American Legion Post 351 represented by Commander Tim Welker, the Macomb County Detachment Marine Corps League and Commandant Norman Pfaff, and the Robert Cox Disabled American Veterans Chapter 129 and Vice-Commander David Tank.

The Old Settlers Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4659, which was represented by Commander Joe Wrobel, was also honored after the post’s honor guard led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance to start the meeting.

“Along with their service, we need to follow the example of our veterans in how they express appreciation for our nation and its symbols,” Stathakis said. “These men and women truly know what a blessing it is to be an American, and it is inspiring to see that displayed.”

The awards were capped with a presentation to Randazzo from Beverly Netzloff, who recently received her brother William Netzloff’s due military honors from the U.S. government roughly 70 years after he paid the ultimate sacrifice in Italy during WWII. Randazzo helped Netzloff work to obtain the honors and dedicated the 2014 Shelby Township Memorial Day Ceremony to her brother.

“I thought, when I moved (to Shelby Township), someone might to be able to help me, I want those medals,” Netzloff said. “I recognized Phil, and I thought, ‘one day he might help me out.’ And, sure enough, Phil was the man.

“What a wonderful thing he did for me and what was left of my family,” Netzloff added. “Phil has worked and worked. I was able to get all the medals (William Netzloff) had coming. Without Phil, I would still be out in the land of wondering. I can’t thank Phil enough.”