Local man gives and gets support from veterans programming at The War Memorial
Dan McCrary is a fine example of someone who places service to others above himself.
McCrary, 78, is a member of the Grosse Pointe Artists Association board, participates in the Veterans Artmaking class at The War Memorial and is an active member of the Grosse Pointe Veterans Club, an organization that also meets at The War Memorial. Additionally, he attends the annual patriotic programming at The War Memorial, like the Veterans Day Breakfast and Memorial Day Ceremony. He is also the commander of Grosse Pointe Farms American Legion Post 303.
“I’m so happy that I was able to serve my country and now I’m trying to give back as much as possible to help other veterans,” he said. “I think The War Memorial is a big asset to this community and I appreciate everything The War Memorial is doing.”
The son of a World War II veteran, McCrary was born and raised in Iowa and was in the Marine Corps from 1967-1970. He served in Vietnam from 1968-1969 as part of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. He was stationed in the northern part of South Vietnam, near the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone, working in logistics and operations.
“It means a lot and it’s a chance for me to have social activities with other veterans and to help other veterans,” he said in response to what his involvement at The War Memorial means to him.
Discharged from active duty as a first lieutenant, McCrary would go on to be in the Marine Corps Reserve for 23 years, retiring as a colonel. He spent 30 years working at Chrysler, retiring in 2007 as a systems manager. The Vietnam War veteran has resided in Grosse Pointe Park for 38 years.
McCrary has been part of the Grosse Pointe Veterans Club for over a decade and attends their lectures and events, as well as those patriotic programs hosted by The War Memorial. He began in the Grosse Pointe Artists Association’s artmaking class about four years ago, and has served on their board since 2019. Speaking about the artmaking class, he noted that he wanted to have more reasons to bring veterans together to socialize and meet.
“We have about 20 people in the art class,” McCrary said. “I would help the instructor with the planning of what kinds of classes to have.”
Veterans Artmaking at The War Memorial is the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, beginning at 6 p.m. McCrary said that the bimonthly artwork class is a good way for him to unwind and enjoy the company of other veterans in a creative way.
“Because I have a very busy schedule, I don’t take much time for my own recreation so that forces me to relax,” he said.
The War Memorial is privileged to work with veterans, like McCrary, offering a welcoming space for veterans to gather in multiple ways – through engaging seminars, military-inspired art exhibits, solemn or celebratory ceremonies, and in simple fellowship. In 2024, The War Memorial is delving into even more ways to support and honor our veterans through an intentional expansion of programmatic offerings. If you would like to assist in offsetting the costs of our annual patriotic programs and upcoming events, and to help people like McCrary, you can #GiveInspired and make a donation to The War Memorial this Giving Tuesday.
This Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, The War Memorial is doing a special campaign, highlighting three individuals to demonstrate the three different aspects of our mission: McCrary for patriotic, Bryan Wilson for cultural, and Mary Dhooge for community.
Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and is touted as a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.”