Veterans Day - National Day of Service

AmeriCorps Seniors Logo

Join Us As We Honor Our Heroes With A National Day Of Service! 

On Friday, November 11th, Americans honor our veterans of the armed forces and those killed in battle as an observance of Veterans Day. Ceremonies are held each year at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and floral tributes are placed on the graves of service men and women and at memorials throughout the county. It is a time of remembrance, tribute, and honor. 

United Way of the Lakeshore will be celebrating Veterans Day in a number of ways this year. We would like to take this time to personally invite you in getting involved and joining us for this National Day of Service.

Join Us For Our Veterans Day Parade In Downtown Muskegon: 

Join United Way of the Lakeshore in honoring the ones who served our country at the Veteran’s Day Parade on Friday, November 11, in downtown Muskegon. We are looking for more businesses, organizations, entertainment, and Veteran-focused groups to join us in marching down Western Avenue from 7th street to 2nd street. The parade will take place at 5 pm, with staging beginning at 4 pm. Please sign up to show support for our heroes and to give our community a memorable event!

Are you a Veteran organization, school, or a nonprofit? Join us walking in the parade with the link below! 

Volunteer Opportunities To Honor Our Vets!

Veterans History Project: 

We are working on a Veterans History Project with the Library of Congress that is getting regional attention! The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

These personal accounts are recorded via tablets, laptops, or smartphones. Volunteers help veterans fill out the proper paperwork and then help with the first-hand interview by asking questions and talking to the veteran throughout the process.

This project also allows oral histories to be shared of “Gold Star Family members” including parents, spouse, sibling or child of members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of their service during the period of the war.

There are two ways to get involved with United Way for this project:

1. We are looking for volunteers willing to conduct one to two interviews with a local veteran that they will be matched with (unless they bring a family member). This typically takes about one and a half to two hours. A one-hour training ahead of time is also required. This can be conducted via Zoom or in person. Training can be held at the school as well and after school hours! 

2. Local veterans are needed. If you are a veteran or know a veteran who served during wartime from World War I to the present, we need your help. Please consider coming in and sharing your story. We want to listen, learn, and preserve your service for all future generations to come.

Operation Gratitude: 

Help United Way of the Lakeshore honor those who serve us! Operation Gratitude is one way we honor some of our most important community members, our Heroes! Write or craft letters for our local first responders, new recruits, deployed troops, and our veterans.

Cards will be dispersed into the community at our local fire stations, police stations, EMTs, veteran groups, and more! Know a veteran or first responder? Let us know! We are looking for local veterans and first responders to personally send them one of the letters collected! 

School Highlight: Ravenna Schools!

We have to give a HUGE shoutout to Ravenna Schools. Each year, their students knock these cards out of the park and go way above and beyond. 

Below are some of their previous cards!

Ravenna Operation Gratitude Card Examples