Volunteers are needed for the West Michigan Healing Field memorial, part of a national community program that will bring 3,200 American flags to Cannonsburg Ski Area for a September 11 tribute this year. West Michigan Healing Field hopes to have a few hundred volunteers in order to successfully support the event.
“We will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2011 attack on our country and those who lost their lives that day with the West Michigan Healing Field,” said Steve Gerencer, volunteer chair of West Michigan Healing Field. “These 3,200 American flags will be an incredible visual memorial, making sure we never forget those victims or the support of our local safety personnel and military that put our safety ahead of their own every day.”
Beginning September 9 and ending September 13, 2011, the flags will be displayed on a three-acre site at Cannonsburg Ski Area. Special programs are planned for each day, with dignitaries paying tribute and reading the names of those who lost their lives on 9/11, including the 21 victims from Michigan. West Michigan will be one of only a few cities in the country with a display of this magnitude.
Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities, including the setup of the flags on September 9, flag takedown on September 13, as well as information booth volunteers and other positions throughout the five-day event.
“This event is an opportunity for you and your family to become involved together and honor the victims of September 11,” said Gerencer, a 26-year Air Force veteran and Post Finance Officer for the Rockford American Legion. “These days, everyone has numerous commitments, and spare time is hard to come by. However, if you’re looking for a noble and appropriate way to memorialize the events of September 11, there are many opportunities available with West Michigan Healing Field and we appreciate any amount of time you can give.”
The Rockford American Legion is hosting a Volunteer Rush on Tuesday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., for anyone interested in volunteering. Volunteers are encouraged to contact Steve Gerencer at (616) 293-9194 or e-mail him at steve.gerencer@gmail.com for more information. The Rockford American Legion is located at 330 Rockford Park Drive.
In addition to Gerencer, the West Michigan Healing Field committee is comprised of Art Johnson, United Bank CEO, honorary chair; Sue Bodenner, Bishop Hills Elder Care Community, project chair; Nancy Martin, United Bank, communications/treasurer; Jenny Waugh, Rockford Construction, fundraising chair; Julie McCauley, Wolverine Worldwide, public relations chair; Jeannie Gregory, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, program chair; Jeff Havemeier, Hermans Boy and Neil Blakeslee, Rockford Area Community Endowment, field coordinators.
For more information on West Michigan Healing Field, visit www.healingfield.org/west-michigan-2011, visit YouTube and search “Healing Field” or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WestMIHealingField.
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