CEAC-2022-05-May

15,000-plus Michigan lives lost during World War II; additional
statues, including one dedicated to Rosie the Riveter; an
amphitheater and a colonnade of pillars.
The memorial, which is recognized by the Legislature as the
state’s tribute to the war, is to be built in Memorial Park in
the Detroit suburb of Royal Oak.
Members of the committee that is overseeing the project
said the U.S. does not have many state-specific World War II
memorials, but some do, including New York and Washington,
among others.
“Michigan had such a significant impact on the war front,
with brave men and women fighting against tyranny, and
also at the homefront with the Arsenal of Democracy and
other contributions across the state,” said John Maten, president
of The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial.
Poland, who has lived in Michigan since the 1960s, served for
three years in Washington, D.C., as part of the WAVES (Women
Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) program.
“Although my part in the war was very small, I feel that it
was worthwhile,” Poland said.
More than a dozen veterans organizations were present
at the April 7 event, including members of the American
Legion, Tuskegee Airmen, Disabled American Veterans and
Michigan Jewish War Veterans. A few original Rosie the Riveters
also attended.
Fishman spoke on behalf of the assembled World War II
veterans.
“Maybe that was the reason I’ve lived this long, is I could see
something I felt so sincere about that should happen,” he
said. “So that everybody else could see what the great generation
really was.”
Ethel “Cricket” Poland, 102, is one of those who served an
important role on the homefront, as a codebreaker with the
Navy.
Shovels are seen at the site of a groundbreaking for the Michigan state World War II memorial, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Royal Oak, Mich. The memorial
will eventually include the laying of more than 1,200 donated Walk of Honor paver bricks, a Wall of Stars honoring the 15,000-plus Michigan lives lost
during World War II, and additional statues, including one dedicated to Rosie the Riveter. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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