TRAVERSE CITY— The Grand Traverse Veterans Coalition held its annual service at Veterans Memorial Park in Traverse City.
Many people from the community came to show support and pay their respects.
“Pain is still there for so many,” said Scott Schwander. “You saw the gold star mothers today, and they still have sleepless nights. And their names have earned a spot on these walls.”
Memorial Day is the time for us to honor the men and women who lost their lives in service. Many veterans take this day to honor the people who never got to come home or see their loved ones again.
A veteran of the United States Coast Guard says this day isn’t about him.
“It’s to recognize their ultimate sacrifice, not our time in the service, but their sacrifices,” said Michael Bryn. “Some people, they do it out of kindness to say thank you for your service, but they really need to know that the reason they’re having that great cookout there, having all this freedom, is for those who gave their lives previous.”
The Grand Traverse Veterans Coalition hosted a service with several speakers. One of the speakers was Scott Schwander. He read about a man who died as a prisoner of war in North Korea.
“Every name on these bricks, on these walls had a significant part in our nation’s history. So to go back as far as the civil war and then move forward. Speaking of a man that we never met, wanted to know, it was just so important to emphasize how these kinds of things, touch all of us and the importance of remembering them, especially today.”
Bill Sweet, owner of Sweet’s Bar and Grill in honor is walking 116 miles along M22 raising money for Reigning Liberty Ranch. A nonprofit that helps families and veterans cope with the loss they have experienced.
“When we’re fighting, we’ve got our own support, we’ve got our buddies, we’ve got everybody that goes with us. But the families there alone,” says Bill Sweet.
Michael Bryn says families forever have a hole in their hearts
“The few that I have met, that have lost members. It’s just that hole that you can’t fill, shares Bryn, “I don’t think it van ever be fulfilled. But if we as a nation continue to remember this day and to continue to uphold this country, that’s the best to fill a broken heart and empty feeling.”