TRAVERSE CITY — Keith Reinhardt met an Iraq War veteran by the city marina, within sight of a display of crosses recognizing Michigan servicemen and -women killed in action.
"I thanked him for serving," said Reinhardt, of Hale, as he bent down Monday afternoon to read the names and see the pictures attached to each cross. "When I look through all these fallen soldiers, my heart goes out to their families, especially for the young guys who were just starting out in life."
But Reinhardt said he also thinks about those who have returned and the sacrifices they have made for their country "and our freedom."
"The fact is it shouldn't be a repeat of what happened during Vietnam," he said.
Attendees at Acme Township's first Memorial Day service heard a similar message from the Rev. Cliff Batterbee, who spoke of the "great goodness of which they have brought us" and our sometime failure to provide the help and support returning veterans deserve.
"Lord, help our country and we the people do better," said Batterbee, of Bates United Missionary Church.
Wayne Kladder, Acme Township supervisor, said Memorial Day is specifically for those who have died in combat, but he believes it is appropriate to honor all those who have served.
Bill Ingels, who has attended many Memorial Day services as a member of the Acme Masonic Lodge, said he appreciated Batterbee's reminder.
"It's especially important that we remember not only those who passed in combat but all of those who served," Ingels said. "We need a little bit more awareness of those people who come back and are struggling. We need to stretch out a helping hand."
Lavern "Andy" Andres, a Marine veteran of the Korean War, said he was impressed by the turnout of more than 100 people with the sky threatening rain.
"With everything going on, so many things to do, what this proves to me is that people do care for the veterans," Andres said. "I really liked it. It brings our people back together."
Kladder said he wanted to hold a ceremony last year, but because a lot of the township's old records were destroyed in a fire, it took some time to come up with the list of veterans. He said he was touched by some of the old families of Acme who showed up, nodding their heads as the names of deceased family members were read.
Chuck Michaels, of Old Mission Peninsula, said he was surprised by the number of names, almost 90, read for the two small cemeteries, Acme and Yuba. Michaels attended with his wife, Linda Michaels, whose father, a World War II veteran, is buried at the Acme cemetery.
Kladder said they started the day with 86 names, veterans from the War of 1812 up to the first Iraq War, but had people point out five more veterans they missed.
Veterans For Peace Chapter 50 began placing white crosses with the names of Michiganders who died in Iraq and Afghanistan into the Open Space in 2004. They started with 41 names that first year. They placed 187 crosses on Monday
"It's mostly to show the real, real cost of war, the loss of life, the loss of family members," said John Lewis, a naval veteran of World War II. "Not all veterans agree with us, but we think it is worth doing."
Phil Houle, who served in the Air Force during Vietnam, said the group faced a lot of hostility the first year by people who thought they were unpatriotic. The hostility has lessened over the years, and most people Monday were appreciative and supportive.
"We do this just so people don't forget there are faces to war," Houle said. "It affects everybody, especially the families left behind."
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