Recapping 75 years of stories
As The War Memorial closes out our 75th anniversary in 2024, we thought it would be fitting that the final “Stories of Impact” article recap some of the stories that were shared throughout the year.
Our diamond anniversary began with the story of Chris and Libby McDonald, a couple who had their wedding reception at our nonprofit organization in January 2018. In fact, it was also at The War Memorial in 1983 when Libby’s parents, Jeff and Sally Stallings, were married.
Elaborating on what appealed to them about The War Memorial, Chris McDonald said “It had more than just curbside appeal. We were able to be part of a relatively small group of people that The War Memorial affords the opportunity to do that with.”
Libby and Chris McDonald had their wedding reception at The War Memorial in January 2018.
In February, Suzy Berschback, a former War Memorial employee, shared her vast experiences of the institution. She was employed at The War Memorial as a marketing and development coordinator from 1990-2000. She helped throw The War Memorial’s 50th anniversary gala in 1999 with the theme “Sentimental Journey” and assisted in starting the annual Veterans Day Breakfast.
“When I came here, there wasn’t much historical information about the organization,” she said. “I wanted to tell a story about who gave this, where The War Memorial came from, and what the legacy for the community is.”
Berschback, whose husband Chip served on the War Memorial Board of Directors in the 1990s, also co-authored the Images of America book “Grosse Pointe War Memorial” with Ann Marie Aliotta in 2010.
Tying in National Vietnam War Veterans Day in late March, we showcased the story of John Lauve, a Vietnam War veteran with connections to The War Memorial.
Lauve served in the Army 1st Infantry Division as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. He was part of the 2nd Brigade, assigned to the aviation unit. His name is engraved on the bronze Vietnam War Honor Roll Plaque at The War Memorial. The plaque is positioned on a wall on the main floor of the Alger House, outside of the Reception Room. Over 400 names are on the Vietnam War plaque.
Speaking about the plaques, Lauve said it’s nice that The War Memorial makes the effort to recognize individuals who were involved in the Vietnam War.
Vietnam War Veteran John Lauve is seen at a Veterans Day Breakfast at The War Memorial. Lauve’s name is engraved on the bronze Vietnam War Honor Roll Plaque at The War Memorial.
We closed out April with the story of Ron and Diane Strickler who were first introduced to The War Memorial in 1998. The occasion? Driver education for their teenage daughter.
The Grosse Pointe Shores couple has attended various galas and patriotic celebrations, with Diane playing an integral part of a resident partner of The War Memorial, The Family Center of Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods. In response to what The War Memorial means to them, the Strickler’s agreed there’s an awful lot that the organization has given to them professionally and socially.
Just after Memorial Day, we shared the story of John Steininger. In 2019, Steininger donated a U.S. flag to The War Memorial, but it’s not your typical Old Glory. The flag was carried by members of the Army’s 29th Infantry Division at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day – June 6, 1944. The framed flag, with 48 stars, is proudly displayed on a wall in the Reflection Room of the Fred M. Alger Center.
Shortly after purchasing the flag, Steininger was contacted by The War Memorial to see about giving the flag a permanent home here.
“I told the former president that I think I had just what you would like to have,” he said. “All American flags in my mind should be honored to some degree. The War Memorial is where it should be.”
The first half of the year concluded with a look at John Prost’s War Memorial memories. For over 30 years, Prost hosted television shows from The War Memorial as part of WMTV, the former public access television station. Prost said the local station was established in the 1970s and had a studio at The War Memorial near where the present Grosse Pointe Artists Association gallery is. He estimates that he hosted 5,000 episodes over the decades, including the series “Coffee Break with John Prost.”
Speaking about station programming, Prost said many of the plays put on by the Grosse Pointe Theatre would be shown, as well as various Grosse Pointe Public Schools functions.
For over 30 years, John Prost hosted television shows from The War Memorial as part of WMTV, the former public access television station.
Stories for our diamond anniversary rolled on with Dave Bennett, who shared his musical journey at The War Memorial. Over the last decade, Bennett has become somewhat of a War Memorial staple when it comes to musical entertainment, frequently gracing audiences with his talents. In that time, Bennett estimates he has played here about 30 times, ranging from performing at the former Patriot Theater, to the Alger House, the Alger Center and on the lakeside lawn. In July, Bennett and his band kicked off The War Memorial’s SummerFest Concert Series. His next War Memorial performance comes on Jan. 19 as he curates the Dave Bennett Winter Brunch Series.
In July, Ron and Mary Lamparter discussed their War Memorial story of support and patriotism. The Lamparter’s, of Grosse Pointe Farms, each served on The War Memorial’s Board of Directors - Ron in the 1990s, and Mary from 2015-2023.
“It’s an amazing asset seeing what The War Memorial gives back to the community,” Mary said. “The War Memorial is creating a much more robust veterans’ program than we’ve ever had in the past.”
Mary and Ron Lamparter are seen here at The War Memorial in May 2023 at the dedication ceremony for Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge.
The final full month of summer featured a story on rock and roll legend and Michigan native Ted Nugent. On June 21, 1971, Nugent and the Amboy Dukes performed at the Fries Auditorium at The War Memorial.
“Oh, I remember alright!” Nugent wrote in an email interview with The War Memorial.
An archived edition of the Grosse Pointe News from June 17, 1971, indicates that a movie was shown at the Fries Auditorium prior to the concert. Tickets to see the Amboy Dukes were $3 in advance or $3.50 at the door.
In September, we heard from Martin Astfalk, The War Memorial’s longest serving current employee.
Since 1999, Astfalk has been on staff at The War Memorial, playing a key role on the culinary team.
“I’ve been through six head chefs and I’m still here,” he jokes.
Having a quarter of a century of experience at The War Memorial, Astfalk recalls the days when multiple generations of some families would work here simultaneously.
“There was a brother and sister who worked here, and there was another girl who started as a teenager and worked for about 30 years,” he said. “Back then, lots of people worked here for 30 years. We would have grandmothers, mothers, and daughters all working here.”
War Memorial Head Sous Chef Martin Astfalk is The War Memorial’s longest serving current employee. He began working here in 1999.
A story that emerged in October was that of Margaret and Allan Torp. A 70th anniversary party was thrown at The War Memorial in late September for the Torp’s. The couple, now in their late 80s, were married on July 24, 1954.
“We wanted to have it at The War Memorial because it’s a special anniversary,” Margaret said. “We wanted it to be at a special place and be able to invite a number of family and friends and The War Memorial appealed to us.”
The Torp’s first War Memorial experience occurred within the last decade. In that time, they’ve attended various functions and concerts.
Most recently, we showcased the story of former War Memorial Board Member Beverly Curtiss-Walsh. Curtiss-Walsh, of Grosse Pointe City, was on the board from 2010-2018. She moved to the area after she was in college.
Her first experiences at The War Memorial would have been when her children Brian and Jill, attended school dances, Ski-Hi, and driver education classes.
“My first impression of The War Memorial was that it was very well run,” Curtiss-Walsh said. “It is a beautiful spot.”
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and thank you to all who shared their War Memorial stories with us in 2024. To view past 75th anniversary stories, click here.