Community Corner

Michigan Fallen Heroes Foot Float to Honor Lost Soldiers

Volunteers are still needed during Ferndale's Memorial Day Parade on Monday to hold up signs honoring Michigan soldiers who have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

Some stand and salute, others applaud, and many are moved to tears.

When the Michigan Fallen Heroes Foot Float goes through town as part of Ferndale's Memorial Day Parade, the responses from onlookers vary but one thing is consistent: "It demands a response," said organizer Larry Saville. "You can't stay neutral. It's the sense that it demands something out of us to acknowledge what these families gave."

Volunteers in the walking tribute carry signs each displaying a photo and basic information about one of the 226 Michigan soldiers who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts since 2001. Now in its fifth year, the float is aiming to have enough volunteers on Monday so that each person carries only one sign.

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"That's so much more respectful," said Saville, a longtime Ferndale resident. "It feels like it could happen this year."

Saville conceptualized the event after seeing a Detroit Free Press piece that featured two full pages of photos of local fallen soldiers.

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"I was so moved by that," he said. "I didn't want them to just disappear ... It was a way to honor them and let the families know and the troops that were over there know that we hadn't forgotten them."

Just as he was moved by the article, he has found that the float has a similar effect. "It's so overpowering," he said.

He recalls a father who stood up, looked down to his son and asked the boy to stand with him, both removing their hats; a 20-year-old woman on West Maplehurst who began crying, repeating that she "had no idea there were so many;" and servicemen in uniform who continued saluting until every volunteer had passed, each fallen soldier acknowledged.

"When people see it I think they begin to see the face with the name," said Saville, noting that each image is different - some are formal military photos while others show the soldier with his or her family or friends. "It's more than the numbers, it's the faces. It's the personal side to it, the human side of it."

The foot float will be part of the beginning at 10 a.m., drawing residents from across the state to carry signs.

The more than 200 participants expected will gather at the corner of West Maplehurst and Livernois starting at 8:30 a.m., and more volunteers are welcome.

Ferndale resident Sherry Kruzman got involved with the foot float after hearing about it through the Ferndale Community Foundation, which her husband serves on.

"Larry is such a genuine and passionate person - we showed up that year and as soon as we started walking I knew that this was something I needed to do," Kruzman said. "Men took off their hats and parents had their children stand up. I could see them telling their children what it was about and then when we rounded the corner to Woodward, there were veterans on the median with tears streaming down their faces."

She, too, was brought to tears during the parade. "Of course I cried through the whole parade and do every year," she said. "I think it is such a little thing that we can do as non-military citizens - support those who fought for us."

Kruzman has been helping to spread the word about this year's event.

"This is my first year working with them and it has been such a great experience - to see the genuine concern from everyone - that all are recognized and that this is done in a respectful manner," she said.

Those walking in the float are asked to wear a red, white or blue shirt, sweater or jacket without political, commercial or religious slogans or statements.

Kruzman emphasized that the organization has no political agenda and that the event is a time to honor and respect the family and friends of Michigan's fallen heroes - "just a simple thank you to those who lost their lives for us," she said.

Donations are accepted to help defray expenses of the event including printing costs and banners. The First United Methodist Church of Ferndale has supported the effort by organizing the event financially by receiving donations from private citizens and local businesses and organizations.

Volunteers and supporters have traveled from Erie, Eastpointe, Troy, Birmingham, Detroit, Warren, St. Clair Shores, St. Clair, Farmington, Novi, Sterling Heights, Dearborn and other communities to take part in the foot float.

For more information or to get involved, call the First United Methodist Church of Ferndale at 248.545.4467 or visit the MI Fallen Heroes Foot Parade website. You can also visit the group's Facebook page.


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