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Greatest Generation to be honored in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Greatest Generation Celebration to honor those who served in World War II is being planned for later this summer in Grand Rapids to mark 80 years since the war ended.
The includes a variety of events including a parade through downtown Grand Rapids.
Organizers say they wanted to honor the sacrifices made while some WWII veterans are still around to see it. Brian Hauenstein is a co-chair of the committee planning the events.
'We really feel like this 80th anniversary is our last-ditch effort to say to the very few that are remaining, 98 years plus is how old they are now, and we really want to say one last time, 'Thank you so much for creating a world where we can live freely,'' Hauenstein said.
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The legacy of his grandfather is one of many stories that will be honored.
'He was called up into active service at Fort Sheridan, Illinois soon sent off to Iceland where he was aid to camp and when a plane went down, that they'd shot down, a German plane prior to U.S. involvement in the war, he recovered a codebook and carried that to Bletchley Park where, as many know, code-breaking took (place) on the British side,' Hauenstein said.
That book was crucial in the effort to break German codes and understand what the Nazis were planning.
Friday is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion by Allied forces in Normandy, France.
'He was involved in the D-day invasion planning, the deception plots that took place around D-Day,' Hauenstein said.
The Greatest Generation Celebration begins Sept. 1 and lasts a week. It is scheduled around Sept. 2, which will mark 80 years since the WWII officially ended.
Joel Westphal came up with the idea for this celebration and is the chairman of the committee.
'It was the culmination of 1,300 days of conflict, over 400,000 Americans killed and we have to remember that the end of the war created a major celebration here in this country,' Westphal said. 'There was never really a large celebration here in Grand Rapids after the end of the Second World War and so it's a combination of trying to reengage that memory and also to thank those who sacrificed.'
The celebration begins on Labor Day with a parade through downtown Grand Rapids followed by a flyover with WWII-era planes. People attending the parade can make a donation and have a sign made honoring their loved ones who served that can be carried around for the community to see.
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Other events include the Greatest Generation Day at LMCU Ballpark, speakers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, and a Victory Ball celebration at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo.
'It takes a massive effort of time. My time, our committee's time and it also takes a lot of sponsors,' Westphal said.
The organizers say all the work is the least they can do to show appreciation and make sure their sacrifices are not forgotten.
'A big part of what we are doing here today is to connect that younger generation. Those that are just coming into the world. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Daughters of the American Revolution and help them understand the sacrifices that were made,' Hauenstein said.
For a complete schedule of events and to learn how to donate, you can visit the .
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