Veterans are again honored by Wayne County and its partners
Detroit - Wayne County and its Veterans Affairs' division again recognized its military servicemen/women and their families with a special health expo at the Samaritan Center in Detroit.
The county-hosted Veterans Service Day provides a range of programs to veterans and their families, from health-screenings to employment assistance and counseling. Wayne County has held five such events since Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano first took office in 2003. This year's event was co-hosted by Wayne County Commissioner Bernard Parker, whose second district is where Samaritan is located.
The county executive said vet service events and other activities highlight the role of service members in our society. Wayne County has the state's largest number of veterans with nearly 200,000. And, unfortunately, many veterans are in the class of the under-employed and often succumb to substance abuse. That means many of them fail to get proper medical attention, and a veterans service event offers testing for eyes, diabetes, blood diseases and other conditions that claim many in middle age. In turn, many of the participants are directed to nonprofit and low-cost medical assistance, employment services, mental and physical health treatment and other programs to help veterans get back on track. And it also helps raise awareness that Wayne County and Michigan are active in providing programs to vets: Most believe federal programs are their only option. In fact, Wayne County directs or counsels several thousand vets every year.
The region has long pledged its men and women in defense of American soil and the causes of America. Mr. Ficano said with the growing number of returning veterans from Iraq/Afghanistan, programs targeted to veterans will become even more important. He also noted that Wayne County has been recognized for consolidating state and county services at the county's offices at 28 W. Adams in Detroit. The state's Adjutant General award the county is Silver Award for blending state employment and other programs with traditional county programs like emergency and burial relief.
Highlights of the county exec's remarks to the vets, the vendors and the providers, included:
- Wayne County is proud and honored to have our military veterans and their families with us this morning
- It is a pleasure to congratulate the team for their efforts in showcasing what WC offers to our veterans
- This hard work is especially important as more veterans return from Iraq and Afghanistan…and as our WWII, Korean and Vietnam vets continue to age
- America made a commitment to our military men and women when they swore an allegiance to protect us. That commitment should stand for something, even as federal programs to assist vets are trimmed or cut in Washington
- Perhaps no better words can sum what the nation owes our veterans than these. Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address wrote: from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth
- I would echo these great and inspiring remarks by saying Wayne County owes every veteran a debt that can only be paid by offering the best in services we can possibly provide
- On behalf of WC’s nearly 2 million residents, I again wish to again honor our veterans and congratulate the team and their many supporters. Without your advocacy and hard work, our veterans would have fewer places to turn
Anyone with questions about county veterans programs, may contact (313) 224-5045, or visit waynecounty.com, checking under the Senior Services marke
Event Photos (Click to enlarge)
August 18, 2008
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Detroit - Wayne County and its Veterans Affairs' division again recognized its military servicemen/women and their families with a special health expo at the Samaritan Center in Detroit.
Westland - Who's going to be the next Michael Phelps? That was the question posed by Kevin Kelley, Wayne County's seniors/veterans director. 
The sound of an electric saw and hammers pounding nails may not raise eyebrows in many neighborhoods, but in this area along Linwood in Detroit, for some, it’s the sound of music.
Trenton - Wayne County and the city of Trenton are hosting this year's annual Downriver Senior Olympics, a celebration of health and vitality for athletes over age 50.
For horse owner Henry Mast, the only thing more surprising than being the first winner at Pinnacle Race Course on Friday afternoon was that he couldn't find a parking spot at the track before the race.
