HOMETOWN HISTORY TOURS

Taylor’s new armed forces museum opens during May 16 veterans memorial ceremony

Congressman Dingell, Senator Stabenow, brigadier general, Medal of Honor winner and the Taylor mother of female soldier killed in Iraq are all part of the program

A U.S. senator from Michigan and the nation’s longest-serving congressman will be among the dignitaries present for the City of Taylor’s annual Veterans Memorial Day ceremony. The day also marks the grand opening of the Taylor American Warriors Museum inside City Hall.

The annual tribute to veterans – both living and deceased – is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Veterans Memorial Garden in Cameron G. Priebe Plaza just east of City Hall, 23555 Goddard Road.

May 16 is National Armed Forces Day, which falls two Saturday’s before Memorial Day. The city’s “day to remember” will feature speeches by dignitaries, patriotic music and the presentation of colors and memorial wreaths. There will be participation by members and veterans of all branches of the military, war re-enactors, military vehicles and much more.

The ceremony will include a tribute to U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Congress. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and other state, county and local government leaders are among the dignitaries scheduled to be in attendance.

Joining them at the speakers’ podium will be Taylor Mayor Cameron G. Priebe; Army Brig. Gen. Michael Nevin, commander of the 177th Military Police Brigade; and Paula Zasadny, the mother of Army Spec. Holly McGeogh, the young Taylor woman who was killed during the war in Iraq. A Medal of Honor winner from Michigan is expected to be on hand as well.

After the ceremony, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the armed forces museum, which was established as a tribute to local military heroes. The museum, located in a room in the City Hall atrium, has been a dream of Councilman Butch Ramik, who served as a U.S. Army drill sergeant and paratrooper, served in the Republic of Vietnam and earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

The museum will feature a variety of stories, photos, uniforms, equipment, artifacts and memorabilia of armed forces veterans, past and present, from Taylor and beyond. Councilman Ramik, members of veterans organizations and other volunteers have been collecting items for months. Special storage cabinets will display the artifacts.

“This museum is for the armed forces – for the people who served this country,” Ramik said. “It is a tribute to those who allow democracy to exist. It will be something that makes people proud to be Americans.”

Mrs. Zasadny is the primary organizer of the veterans memorial ceremony. Both she and Ramik are hoping there is a great turnout from the public to honor military heroes during the remembrance and inside the museum.

Attendees will be invited to enjoy lunch right after the ceremony outside City Hall and visit the new museum.

Fund-raisers, grants and sponsorships will help fund the museum. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Ramik at (734) 341-1817.

For more information on Taylor’s Day to Remember, call the City of Taylor Public Information Department at (734) 374-1447 or visit their website.