10 Michigan Destinations to Visit This Veterans Day

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Each November, veterans, families and friends come together across the nation, to honor those who served and remember those who lost their lives in ceremonies as part of Veterans Day. In anticipation of this annual day of remembrance, we put together a list of 10 veterans monuments and events in Michigan.
 

1. Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial - Traverse City

Located at Eleventh Street and Elmwood Avenue in Traverse City, the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial was dedicated Sept. 18, 2011. It’s overseen by the Grand Traverse Area Veteran Coalition. Come visit the space to pay your respects to our veterans.
 

2. Fort Custer National Cemetery Augusta

One of two national shrines in Michigan, the Fort Custer National Cemetery is located on Dickman Road in Augusta. Originally Camp Custer, it was named after Michigan native Gen. George Armstrong Custer in 1917 for soldiers in World War I. It was designated as a national cemetery in 1981.

3. Veterans Memorial Park - Grand Rapids

Dedicated in 1926, the park includes several pillars that were erected in honor of those who served in multiple conflicts. The parade and remembrance ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park will take place on November 10 starting at 11:00am. The parade route starts at Monroe Center to Division.
 

4. Plainwell Veterans Memorial - Plainwell

Located in Sherwood Park in Plainwell, the memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day in 2009. The murmur of the Kalamazoo River in the background provides the ideal backdrop for quiet reflection and respect. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. The parade will travel east on Bridge Street (M-89) to Hillside Cemetery for a ceremony conducted by the VFW.

5. Veteran's Memorial Park - Muskegon

Located on the M. Causeway of M-120 in Muskegon, Veteran’s Memorial Park is located on the Muskegon River. The memorial includes a walkway for visitors to observe memorials and plaques in honor of area veterans.

6. Brighton Veterans Memorial - Brighton

 

Including a plaque honoring veterans that was installed in Brighton in the 1950s, the memorial has been redesigned in recent years. It is located on Main Street in Brighton. There will be a Veterans Day Parade on November 11, starting at 11 a.m.

 

7. Great Lakes National Cemetery - Holly

Veterans, families and the general public are invited to attend a Veterans Day ceremony at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. The Veterans Day Ceremony is held on Veterans Day at 11:00 a.m. The program is held at the cemetery assembly area and is sponsored by the Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council.

8. Escanaba Park - Grand Haven

Owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to Grand Haven, the park is home to a memorial for the U.S. Coast Guard. The park was originally known as Kelly Park, but was renamed in 1949 to Escanaba Memorial Park in commemoration of the loss of the USCGC Escanaba and 101 men when the ship sank in 1943.

9. Michigan Vietnam Memorial Island Park - Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant, like many other communities, is home to many veterans. Of particular note is the Vietnam Memorial at Island Park, which was the first in the state to honor those who fought in Vietnam. This memorial is a great way to honor veterans when visiting Mid-Michigan.

10. Withington Park - Jackson

Featuring the sculpture Defense of the Flag, Withington Park in Jackson is named after Gen. William H. Withington. The sculpture honors the 3,282 men of the Michigan Volunteer Infantry regiments who he commanded. The sculpture is also known as Jackson County Soldiers or Sailors Monument.

Many other Michigan communities pay tribute to our nation’s veterans and fallen soldiers. Consider a visit to the unknown soldier sculpture in AlpenaAir Zoo in Kalamazoo, Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Ypsilanti or one of the numerous monuments on the State Capitol lawn in Lansing.