Flagpole Project Honors Saline's Veterans and Builders

On Memorial Day hundreds of people will gather around the flagpole at Oakwood Cemetery to honor fallen American soldiers.

A group of local veterans are working to make sure the flagpole and flag are visible all year long.

George Perrault, Pete Belaire and Bob Kwiecinski appeared before Saline City Council last week to announce their plans to place a new flagpole and improved lighting in Oakwood Cemetery. Perrault, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Navy, has been talking to city officials about the state of the cemetery since last fall. He was pleased to see that the bushes around the flagpole and memorial had been trimmed, which will enable people to see the speakers on Memorial Day.  He told council that there is interest in replacing the pole, with a new white powder-coated pole, installing new LED lighting and replacing the flag on a routine basis through a service contract.

The "What So Proudly We Hail" project is being done through the Washtenaw County Vietnam Veterans of America Chamber 310.

Belaire, a Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, explained why he was interested in improving the site.

“We’re standing here as veterans. We served to protect that flag. But that’s not why we’re doing this project,” he said. “We’re doing it because every time we march down to that cemetery, we look for that flag. It should be a beacon that draws your eyes to that cemetery.”

Belaire said Oakwood Cemetery is important to him.

“Our ancestors are buried there. Not only the veterans, but all the ancestors who helped build this great community. We need to pay a special homage to them,” Belaire said.

They are hoping to raise over $3,000 for the project and have committed that “not a single dime” will be spent on expenses like mailing and printing.

“All the money we collect will be channeled to the Vietnam Veterans of America and every penny will go toward the flag pole and any upgrades we can afford to do,” Belaire said.

Members of Saline City Council were supportive.

“There is nothing greater than when citizens feel empowered to address a need they see in the community,” said city council member Brian Marl, who is chair of the Oakwood Cemetery Task Force.

Council member Dean Girbach agreed.

“I think it’s a great idea. We’re glad to have people coming forward and working on issues they feel are important,” he said.

Also in agreement was council member David Rhoads, who had questions about who would be responsible for the project since it was being done with private funds.

City manager Todd Campbell said DPW Director Jeff Fordice would work with the group. As for long-term maintenance of the flagpole, Campbell said the city would need to come up with language for that.

Anyone wishing to donate money to the project can write a check to VVA 310 and write “Proudly We Hail” in the memo area. The checks should be mailed to VVA 310, Proudly We Hail, P.O. Box 3221, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106.