Pine Lake Cemetery Memorial Day Service Virtual for Second Year

It will be the second time in 38 years that the annual Memorial Day observance at the Pine Lake Cemetery on Middlebelt Road in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, will occur online and not in person. Since 1983, area clergy, public officials, the West Bloomfield Police and Fire Departments, local Scout troops, musical artists, and others have made possible this event, most often on the beautiful grounds of the Pine Lake Cemetery.

The link to use in order to take part in the Memorial Day Service webinar, on Monday, May 31, 2021, at 10:00 am Eastern Time is

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85695977756

If one is unable to access Zoom via computer, smart phone, or another device, one may listen without video but only by phone audio by calling 1-301-715-8592 and entering the following Webinar ID when prompted: 856 9597 7756. For more information or to get a link sent to a particular email account, one may email drcapacker@gmail.com and put “Memorial Day 2021 Link” in the subject line. The event is free of charge.

Ever aware of the enormous sacrifice of those who have given their lives in pursuit of what is good for all, we will honor those who endeavored in “Establishing Justice” in our world and our nation on this Memorial Day. The Rev. Victor Hardy, Senior Minister of the Congregational Church of the Valley (NACCC) will speak not only as a minister but as a United States Air Force Veteran. The national anthem will again be sung by Jenny Lynn Stewart, internationally-recognized New York City operatic soprano, and remarks will be heard from West Bloomfield Township Supervisor Steven Kaplan. Gold Award Girl Scout Hannah Zawaideh from Troop 74686, a Girl Scout Ambassador and West Bloomfield High School student, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Scriptures and readings will be made by representatives of area faith communities, including Rabbi Marla Hornsten of Temple Israel, Jacob Salhaney of the Pine Hill Congregational Church (NACCC), Rev. Monica William of the West Bloomfield United Methodist Church, and Karen Yee of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Jacob Richards, Director of Service Learning at Olivet College, a seminary student, and the nephew of the Rev. Chris Richards, one of the founding clergy of the Pine Lake Memorial Day Service in 1983, will deliver the benediction. The Rev. Dr. Charles Packer of the Pine Hill Congregational Church (NACCC) will open with a welcome and introduction. Peter Cooper’s “Taps” will also be played, which has been an almost yearly occurrence.

Veterans will be recognized for their dedicated giving of service and the late James Allen Ross will be remembered in particular this year for his time in the United States Army, in which he was an instructor, motor sergeant, squad leader, and infantryman. For his courageous engagement in campaigns in Vietnam, Ross was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star medal, Purple Heart, Sharpshooter (Rifle), Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. By the end of his military career, Ross reached the rank of SSG and served for 15 years, 8 months, and 24 days, discharged honorably on December 7, 1973.

Facilitated by the Pine Lake Cemetery Association, the Association and its President, Mari Bem, thanks the many volunteers who helped place 340 flags on graves at the Cemetery, and encourages visits to the cemetery over the holiday weekend. Gratitude to Chris Cooper for donating t-shirts that feature SSG James Allen Ross.