Veterans Day Ceremony Scheduled for November 11 In Front of Troy City Hall

Event Honors All Who Served this Country

(TROY, MI) – The Troy Veterans Memorial Committee hosts their annual Troy Veterans Day Ceremony at Troy Veterans Plaza, in front of City Hall (500 W Big Beaver), Wednesday, November 11 at 11 am. (In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the City Council Chambers).

The program will include a memorial brick dedication, the Raising of Colors and the Laying of the Memorial Wreath on the Veterans Monument by honorary guests.

Keynote speaker is Brigadier General Michael A. Stone, Director of the Joint Staff, Michigan Army National Guard. Following his graduation from Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadet basic training, Brigadier General Michael A. Stone joined the Michigan Army National Guard as a ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program cadet with the 1776^th Military Police (MP) Company on October 7, 1987. He was commissioned as a Military Police Second Lieutenant on May 13, 1989 and was recognized as the Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Detroit ROTC program. In December of 1990, Lieutenant Stone was activated and deployed as a Platoon Leader with the 1776^th for service in Saudi Arabia and Iraq during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Upon his return, he assumed command of the 1776^th MP Company and was subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant and Captain. At the end of this command assignment, he served as a special project officer for the Comptroller of the National Guard Bureau.

In December of 1995, Captain Stone was deployed to Germany as the S-1, Personnel Officer, of the 210^th Military Police Battalion in support of Operation Joint Endeavor. In 2001, then Major Stone assumed command of the 1-182^nd Field Artillery Battalion (MLRS) and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Following a successful command, he was transferred to become the Chief of Staff of the 177^th Military Police Brigade. In February of 2006, he was promoted to Colonel and was assigned as the Deputy Commander of the 177^th and, in May of 2007, deployed with the Brigade to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September of 2009, he became the first Director of Joint Operations (J3) for the Michigan National Guard; which lead to his current assignment as the Director of the Joint Staff and Commander of the Joint Task Force, Michigan National Guard. He was promoted to Brigadier General on April 1, 2010.

The public is invited to bring individual flowers, bouquets, small flags and other appropriate mementos to be placed on the walk of honor or at the base of the Veterans Memorial in honor of a loved one or all veterans.

The sale of commemorative bricks ($60 each) will continue and the Veterans Memorial Committee will dedicate them at future Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies.

For information contact Cindy Stewart at 248.524.1147.

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