9/11 Tribute and Memorial Service In Muskegon and Grand Haven Fundraiser May 20th

Ike Villapando sent me a Facebook message and sad he wanted to show me something that he's been working on and wondered if I had time to meet up.  If you don't know Ike, well, let's just say his cool presence is plenty to get you to show up, but generally, he's also behind some pretty cool stuff going on and this time it's a whopper.

Ike has found a way for Muskegon and Grand Haven to share an event!


Let's be honest, our two towns could get along much better.  For as long as I have been here, that drawbridge has been more than a pain in the butt for commuters, it's been an invisible line between 2 pretty awesome cities.  Now, growing up in Sparta it wasn't all that apparent, but after a few years living here you get a pretty good idea of the "us and them" mindset.  Thing is, no one seems to remember why they think that way, they just do.  So?  How do you address that?  You find commonality.

Grand Haven VFW on Facebook

We were all effected by 9/11.  Not a soul living on earth that day will forget it.  A lot of time has past, and a lot of reflection and remembrance has been made and as we carry on, we should always remember what happened that day.  We should remember as one too.  Nothing could divide America that day, and the weeks and months that followed.  If for just one day we could all remember, we'd be ahead.  Well, September 11th this year will be marked with a shared event between Muskegon and Grand Haven.

We'll keep you up to date as September draws closer for the event, but for now, there's going to be a fundraiser at the Grand Haven VFW on First Street this coming Saturday.  You'll be able to enjoy some fellowship and food, there will be karate demonstrations, a live and silent auction and you'll also get a glimpse at the upcoming event and learn the size and scope of what's entailed.  The short story is, the procession begins in Grand Haven and works it's way to Muskegon and the hallowed grounds of the LST 393 located at the Mart Dock on Muskegon Lake.

For now, take a listen to Ike and I as we talked on the sidewalk outside the Grand Haven VFW.

Stay tuned.  We plan on being part of this great event for both of our cities right up till September 11th when it all happens.  We're proud to not only be able to bring you the story, we're more proud to do something the Lakeshore needs more of and that's being neighbors instead of competitors!   Don't forget too, the VFW has a fun Ribfest Event coming up in May, they have been great sponsors of Positively Muskegon for the Rib Fest event and we're thankful!  Details are in the poster below!