A place for the community: couple celebrates anniversary at The War Memorial

Some 40 years after having their wedding reception at The War Memorial, Andrew and Melinda Campbell recently returned to the nonprofit organization, this time for an anniversary party.

A 40th anniversary party was thrown at The War Memorial on June 16 for the Campbell’s, of Ann Arbor.

“It was beautiful,” Melinda said. “The way the room decorated was really lovely. Our four children planned it. There was also a tiered wedding cake. With the lake in the background, everything was so beautiful.”

Not only was their anniversary party here, the couple had their wedding reception at The War Memorial in 1984.

“The service was in the morning and we got there around 11,” Melinda said. “We had about 150 people, and it was a morning wedding. We had a light lunch. We took photos along the pillars that used to be there.”

She remembers a three-piece band playing at the reception.

Aside from wedding festivities at The War Memorial, Melinda’s experiences here include attending plays at the Fries Auditorium, seeing famed pianist Arthur Rubinstein play, and having a few relatives who served in the military honored.

Her mother Marion Joan Leone was in the Navy, part of the Women's Auxiliary Volunteer Emergency Service, or WAVES, from 1944 to 1946. The WAVES were stationed at U.S. military bases, filling in for the men who were sent overseas. Marion’s boot camp was at Hunter College in New York. She was later assigned to Naval Air Station Grosse Ile.

Melinda’s mother's name is on the World War II Honor Roll plaque at The War Memorial as Marion J. Nester, her maiden name. She died in 1999 at the age of 75. Melinda’s father, Alfred Gerard Leone, was a fighter pilot in the Navy, also during World War II. He passed away in 2014 at age 91. Also inscribed on the Honor Roll at The War Memorial is the name of Melinda’s grandfather, Thomas Nester.

About a decade ago, Melinda and her siblings pitched in to purchase memorial bricks at The War Memorial with their parent's name on it, located in the Veterans Garden.

Melinda’s parents were married in 1948 and had seven children – one boy and six girls.

Born in Grosse Pointe Park, Melinda spent her early years in the Grosse Pointe community. Growing up, she recalls The War Memorial always being a lovely and stately establishment.

“The home is beautiful and to have it right there on the lake is a bonus,” she said. “It’s nice to have The War Memorial as a place for the community to go.”

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization. Do you have a special War Memorial story or memory? Join us in telling #myWMstory and share yours!