Edition No. 75
Arts and Culture
DIA celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with cultural presentations featuring AAPI artists based in Southeast Michigan.
Community and Family
The War Memorial resumes annual in-person Memorial Day service to recognize, reflect, and to pay respects to veterans, military members, and their families.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Cultural Presentations at the DIA
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists based in Southeast Michigan come together Saturday, May 28, to showcase their work informed by the traditions of their ancestral homes and their lived experiences in America. The presentations will feature Korean-American choreographer, Joori Jung, in collaboration with traditional Korean pansori artist Eun-oh Shin and electronic musician Joo-won Park, uses movement, music, and metaphor to explore where we’ve been and where we hope to go. Jenny Mualhlun and Mary Hniang share their experiences as 1.5-generation Burmese Americans and how they found their sense of belonging in the middle ground.
Musicians from the Morin Khuur Center in North America demonstrate the iconic Horse Head Fiddle, a symbol of Mongolian national identity that has been making recent waves in contemporary music. Xiao Dong Wei mixes classical Chinese Instruments with rock and roll and Sakura Japanese Instrumental Group & Great Lakes Taiko Center: Raion Taiko shares the magnificent and powerful sounds of Japanese musical instruments through songs composed by Yamada Mizue.
With introductory remarks by Senator Stephanie Chang and Representative Padma Kuppa as well as DIA Director, President and CEO Salvador Salort-Pons and other DIA staff and auxiliary members. Emceed by Fox 2 Detroit news anchor, Roop Raj.
This event is free and open to the public. Purchase tickets at the button below.
Patriotism remains strong as annual Memorial Day service returns to in-person celebration
The War Memorial is proud to once again offer in-person celebrations to honor our community’s veterans, military service members, and their families with special programs and events leading up to Memorial Day. Both Our Community Salutes kicking off tomorrow, May 26 and the annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 30 will provide a time for community members to come together to recognize, reflect, and to pay respects to veterans, military members, and their families.
The War Memorial’s week of service and honor culminates in a solemn hour of remembrance during our traditional Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m., back in-person on the grounds of the historic Alger House. This moving ceremony takes place on the lakefront lawn of The War Memorial as we honor and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
This year’s Memorial Day event will feature a moving performance of the United States national anthem; remarks from War Memorial leadership; a keynote address from brigadier general and Board Member Rolf Mammen; and will conclude with a moment of solemnity, featuring a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace performed by local musician Mary Beth Nicholson.
The reading of the names of fallen Grosse Pointe service members from all military branches will also be included.
“We are humbly honored to once again welcome the community to this time-honored and important ceremony, the first in person ceremony since 2019” said The War Memorial President and CEO Charles Burke. “The foundation of our institution is built on the names engraved on the walls of the historic Alger house. It’s a privilege and duty to bear witness to the lives lost and pause as we reflect on their collective sacrifice.”
Also participating are members of the Grosse Pointe Veterans Club, Motor City Brass Band, Blue Star Mothers Lake Erie Chapter, the Grosse Pointe Veterans Garden, the American Legion Grosse Pointe Post 303, JROTC Osborn High School Honor Guard, along with local Boy Scout Troop 96.
The Memorial Day Service is free, open to the public, and attended by hundreds of members of the community. Guests are welcome to experience the service from their boats. Pre-registration for this year’s ceremony is required; seating and parking will be limited.
All Memorial Day Celebrations will be held at The War Memorial, located at 32 Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms. For more information on Memorial Week as a whole, guests can visit www.warmemorial.org/memorialday2022
Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.
Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.
The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at dmurphy@warmemorial.org.