This special presentation will honor area service men and service women who have served and who are currently serving in the Armed Forces in a special “Salute to Service” ceremony which will be held Friday, November 11, 2016, at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, located 50400 Cherry Hill Road in Canton, MI.
This special Veterans Day celebration will recognize military personnel currently in active duty in our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves, as well as veterans of the armed services for their exceptional commitment and dedication.
The public is encouraged to attend this free event, presented by Canton Township. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the public to enjoy exhibited military memorabilia displays and a cookie and punch pre-show reception, prior to the start of the formal stage presentation at 7 p.m.
This year's keynote speaker is retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles. On July 18, 2016, Col. Kettles was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, by President Barack Obama at the White House, for his actions on May 15, 1967, which involved his life-saving efforts of rescuing soldiers, who had been ambushed by North Vietnamese troops and were trapped in a river valley in Vietnam. Kettles, a UH-1D Huey helicopter pilot who was serving as a flight commander assigned to the 176th Aviation Company, is credited with saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his own crew members.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Lt. Col. Kettles was also awarded the following honors: the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and one bronze service star, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass device, the Master Aviation Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star, the United Nations Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm device.
The program will also feature musical tributes sung by the Workman Elementary Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Keri L. Mueller.
In addition to the formal presentation, items for service men and women will be collected by the Michigan Military Moms, including individual size or travel size: disposable hand and foot warmers; foot and body powder; Q-tips; Beef Jerky; hot chocolate mix; wipes; granola/power bars; and monetary donations to offset postage. Please note that all items must be small enough to fit a 12” x 12” x 8” U.S. Priority box.
Join us as we salute all veterans, living and deceased, and especially those active duty military men and women who are currently serving in harm's way in far-away places and across our homeland. For more information about this free event at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, please call 734/394-5300 or visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org.
Photo: President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor to retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles for conspicuous gallantry, in the East Room of the White House, July 18, 2016. Then-Major Kettles distinguished himself in combat operations near Duc Pho., Republic of Vietnam, on May 15, 1967, and is credited with saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his own crew members. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy).