Veterans Day 2016; Russ Harden to Lead Troy Ceremony.

TROY, MI — Troy Police Lt. Russ Harden will emcee this year's Veterans Day ceremony, according to the Troy Times. The Troy police department’s honor guard commander is a lieutenant colonel in the Michigan Army National Guard, 177th Military Police Brigade, based in Taylor, where he’s served for 29 years.

The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Troy Veterans Plaza, in front of Troy City Hall, 500 W. Big Beaver Road.

Harden points out that while only a small percentage of Americans serve in the armed forces, his family is an exception. His daughter, Lauren, serves at a lieutenant and a medical service officer in the Army Medical Corps, and his son, Joseph, as a private in the 125th Infantry Regiment Michigan Army National Guard, based at the Light Guard Armory in Detroit.

Harden was deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm during the war in Iraq while his wife, Andrea, held down the fort at home.

“Very few people understand what it means to serve. The emotional, the physical and the mental toll on veterans is staggering,” Harden said. “We appreciate when people say, ‘Thank you for your service.’”
He said Veterans Day is a day for veterans to appreciate each other.

When Harden asked Col. Thomas Vern, commander of the 177th Military Police Brigade for the Michigan National Guard, to be the keynote speaker at the Troy Veterans Day Ceremony, Vern said the thought to say no to the opportunity never crossed his mind.

“I get to thank the city and everyone who keeps us in their thoughts,” Vern said. “Knowing you have the support back home from family and the community means more than you can know.”

As the commander of the 177th Military Police Brigade, Vern commands over 2,400 of Michigan’s national guardsmen. The 177th Military Police Brigade includes military police units, engineers, explosive ordinance disposal personnel, signal units, and chemical reconnaissance and decontamination units. These units are spread throughout Michigan, from Iron River in the Upper Peninsula to Kalamazoo and Taylor. As commander, Vern is responsible for the training, readiness and welfare of the soldiers who serve in the brigade.

Vern was commissioned as a second lieutenant June 5, 1991, through the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps of the University of Michigan. Following his commission, he served on active duty as an engineer officer in Korea and in Fort Carson, Colorado. After his return to Michigan, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves and the Michigan National Guard. He has served in several positions in support of Michigan’s chemical, biological and nuclear response forces. Vern has been mobilized twice, once in support of Iraq mobilization, and the second time this year in support of the Flint water response as part of Mission Flint, a state initiative to help Flint residents.

“The outpouring of support (for veterans) leaves you speechless time and time again,” Vern said. “The commitment of the families of the vets — mothers, fathers, children, spouses not knowing where we’re going or what you’re doing — I thank them for their commitment to help us serve.”
He noted that people who serve on submarines carrying nuclear weapons — “an incredibly important part of the country’s defense” — are out of contact with loved ones for months at a time.
He noted that although duties vary in each branch of the armed forces and the U.S. Coast Guard, “it always comes back to the family.”

Vern said that most of his lifelong friends were made during his active duty because of the strong bonds of friendship forged while they endured difficult challenges together.

“I realize just how lucky and privileged we are to have served and to have these experiences,” he said. “You thank the people who support and acknowledge your service.”

The program will include the raising of colors, a rifle salute and taps by the Troy Police Honor Guard, as well as the laying of the Memorial Wreath at the Veterans Monument. Music will be provided by the Heritage Concert Band of Troy.

Troy Community Affairs Director Cindy Stewart said the public may bring flowers, bouquets, small flags and appropriate mementos to place on the Walk of Honor at the base of the Veterans Memorial to honor a loved one or all veterans. Commemorative bricks are available to purchase for $60. For more information, call (248) 524-1147.

Photo by the U.S. Army via Flickr Commons