Robison-Bahnmiller Pledges to Flagpole Project

Fundraising for the " is off to a great start.

At Monday's Memorial Day ceremonies, Mayor Gretchen Driskell announced has committed to purchase a new flagpole for Oakwood Cemetery. 

The announcement means that local veterans are well on their way toward their goal of beautifying the flagpole area at the city-owned cemetery.

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

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.

“We’re standing here as veterans. We served to protect that flag. But that’s not why we’re doing this project. 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," said Belaire. “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.”

The group will still be raising funds for lighting. Any additional money raised will be used to upgrade the site and, perhaps, to purchase a service agreement to replace the flag periodically.

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.