Day of Recognition – Gold Star Mothers
The National Gold Star Mothers and Families Day of Recognition was celebrated in Traverse City on Sunday, September 26, 2021 "On the last Sunday in September, Gold Star Mother's and Family Day honors the mothers, fathers, and families of fallen military
Hero Services – Strikes for Stripes
Hero Services is a new organization that is starting to make great strides within the Veteran and First Responder communities. At the end of 2020, they formalized into a non-profit. Before that, Hero Services was a group of individuals, predominantly
Brave Hearts Estate In Pellston Gives Peace To Troubled Veterans
By Mike Kent It took a motorcycle and a truck to do what 19 years as a Marine, and 18 tours in some of the hottest war zones in the world could never do. It left the body of Laszlo Szalay
Drew Kostic Memorial 5K Tough Run
The 5th annual DK5K (Drew Kostic Memorial 5K Tough Run) was a huge success. Many showed up Saturday, August 14, 2021, laced up their shoes, and were ready to give their best to the muddy Tough Run course in Copemish,
Toys for Tots Honors Volunteers with Star Awards
Photo Credit - Allen-Kent Photography Three volunteers were recently presented with the Toys for Tots of Northwest Michigan Star Awards for their outstanding 2020 contribution to the annual Christmas toy drive. The Star award is presented to one person who works within
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
By Amanda Renkiewicz - Photos from the Traverse City Out of the Darkness Walk Coordinators It’s a shocking fact: each year, suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters combined. Despite that, funding for prevention efforts for suicide was
Blue to Gold Star Mothers
By Rachael Sherman Starla Owens grew up in a strict household with parents who were the strong and silent type and rarely expressed their emotions. When she had children of her own, she found these traits carried on to her, especially
Captain Santa and The Christmas Schooner
Researched and Written by Karen Rieser The Christmas celebration came to the United States with the colonists eventually becoming a federal holiday on June 26, 1870. Over the years, celebrations varied, and customs evolved. The most consistent symbol of the Christmas
Father Fred Foundation – Compassion and Community
By Amanda Renkiewicz – Photos from The Father Fred Foundation An oversized yellow post-it note in an office proclaims in bold written letters: Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the
92 for 22 – Fighting for Those Who Fought for our Country
“22 veterans commit suicide every day. That's 22 too many,” declare the members of the volunteer group 92 for 22. The team works to eliminate that statistic, explaining that their goal is to stand behind and fight for those who
