High-flying Hooper will highlight veterans event
By Bill Petzold
Editor
FRANKENMUTH — When it comes to honoring local veterans, Vassar’s Judy Adams really knows how to enlist the help she needs.
Adams and her husband Tim played a crucial role in organizing a spaghetti dinner benefit last May which raised thousands of dollars for Vassar native Army Sgt. Travis Mills and his family.
Now Adams invites the public to join her in extending a sincere “thank you” to our military personnel at a Warrior Appreciation Rally from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, August 18 at Independence Village in Frankenmuth, 255 Mayer Road. The event is free for everyone to attend.
Judging by the extensive list of sponsors and participants listed on the flyer, the Warrior Appreciation Rally promises to be a terrific source of info for vets and a great time for families and kids.
Adams said that the event brings together veterans groups from Saginaw, Bay, Tuscola and Genesee counties, and she encouraged anyone who has served in the military or those who simply want to say “thanks” to come out.
“A lot of military have never received a ‘thank you’ when they’ve come home — especially guys from the Vietnam Era,” Adams said. “All of our active military, their families, those whose loved ones are deployed, a lot that have come home — it’s just a ‘thank you’ to all of them, because without them we wouldn’t enjoy the freedom in this country that we have.”
Through her network of military contacts, Adams is bringing an army of supporters to the event.
“The Frankenmuth VFW wanted to do an appreciation event for all, and Independence Village jumped on board to host it and allowed us to use their property to be able to hold the event.”
Adams said that she is working with friend Larry Schluckbier, Quartermaster of the Frankenmuth VFW, as well as Reagan Bickel and Jane Johnson of Independence Village to organize the event.
Adams stressed that all military personnel are welcome to attend and that the Warrior Appreciation Rally is not just a “Frankenmuth” event. There is no cost for admission, and a free picnic lunch also will be served.
The event will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at noon, followed by an afternoon of family-friendly carnival-style fun and games. Frankenmuth Credit Union is sponsoring a bounce house for kids, and Cabela’s of Saginaw is sponsoring an air rifle target range that is sure to delight kids of all ages, as well as other games for kids to play.
“The air rifle range will have certified instructors,” Adams said.
Adams said her son Kyle Adams — an avid Detroit sports fan — is even sponsoring an appearance by Detroit Pistons mascot Hooper. The horse mascot in a Pistons jersey performs high-energy, high-flying presentations around the state, and Adams said she’s sure Hooper will delight everyone in attendance.
“I have a retired fire chief, he’s actually from downstate, he does safety things for kids. … He is setting up this obstacle course with little battery-powered cars that kids get into — they’re firetrucks — and he’s teaching kids when you’re driving and you see the red lights, what do you do? You pull over.
“He says he’d really like to put the adults in it,” Adams said, laughing.
The event will include music by Spectrum Entertainment with DJ Marty Wenzel, as well as a performance by The Leo Feith Band.
“We have a lot of sponsors coming out that are doing giveaways for kids,” Adams said. “The Western Thumb Tea Party group is and the Republican Party here in Tuscola County. They not only gave us a check to help finance it, but they’re also doing giveaways for kids and adults. The Saginaw Spirit is coming out, he’s bringing his ‘Spin to Win’ wheel.
Other exhibits will give attendees, especially a veterans, a chance to volunteer to use their skills and training to help in times of crisis.
“The Michigan Volunteer Defense Force (is) mostly retired National Guardsmen and some other military people, they’re totally a group of volunteers, they’re bringing out their Army truck, and what they do is during a national disaster, the governor calls them and if they need assistance with some type of tragedy or search and rescue, they call this group,” Adams said. “They’re going to bring out their truck with their information and let people know more about them because they’re really trying to get more members.”
Veterans in need of assistance also can explore options without being put on the spot.
“The USO is coming out, they’re going to have four tables of information, Adams said. “Voice of Warriors, that’s a group that helps our soldiers with PTSD, they’re out of Saginaw but it’s a national organization. Yellow Ribbon Guard will be out there, we’re also going to have a benefit person … she will help any active military or soldiers that have gotten out that aren’t sure they type of benefits that they qualify for and things like that.
“And the giveaways — oh my gosh, we have tons of giveaways,” Adams said. “We’re just going to let people drop their name in — they have to be present to win — and have their name drawn and have a chance to win a great prize. We have people coming from all over the state so that’s why you have to be present to win, but there’s some really nice stuff.”
Adams said that recruiting offices from each of the surrounding counties will be present as well, as well as other participants, sponsors and groups too numerous to name.
For information, check out the event Facebook page at Warrior Appreciation Frankenmuth or call Larry Schluckbier at (989) 652-6823 or Judy Adams at (989) 823-2078.
Bill Petzold is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. He can be reached at petzold@tcadvertiser.com.