featured
Several local veterans observed POW-MIA Remembrance Day in front of the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post 28 in Grand Haven on Friday.
featured
On the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, many locals gathered at the American Legion to honor those who died that day.
With the 20-year-long military conflict between the U.S. and Afghanistan over, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D- Mich., and a group of nearly three dozen Democratic and Republican members are urging efforts to get underway to provide veterans with mental health help.
Spring Lake native Cooper Druzgal recently completed Cadet Basic Training at the U.S. Military Academy.
WASHINGTON — The United States has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending America’s longest war and closing a chapter in military history likely to be remembered for colossal failures, unfulfilled promises and a frantic final exit that cost the lives of more than 180 Afghans and 1…
MAYPORT, Fla. — An Allendale native serves in the U.S. Navy aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The attacks that killed at least 12 U.S. service members outside the Kabul airport Thursday left President Joe Biden with increasingly fraught choices: continue the evacuation and risk more deaths or end it earlier than planned and risk leaving behind Americans who are stil…
featured
When U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Gerald Keen of Grand Haven first met Rahim Haidary on an Army base in Afghanistan in June 2016, the two had one goal in mind – to get Haidary, a local interpreter and his family, safely to West Michigan.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant President Joe Biden rejected blame for chaotic scenes of Afghans clinging to U.S. military planes in Kabul in a desperate bid to flee their home country after the Taliban's easy victory over an Afghan military that America and NATO allies had spent two decades try…
The Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan two weeks before the U.S. was set to complete its troop withdrawal after a costly two-decade war.
featured
Even with sheets of rain occasionally blitzing Grand Haven’s Community Center, the recognition of the women in the U.S. Coast Guard was still warmly applauded Friday afternoon.
top story
This year’s National Coast Guard Memorial Service on Grand Haven’s waterfront paid honor to Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett.
featured
After two years without sight of the “Queen of the Great Lakes,” Grand Haven’s waterfront on Monday was lined with thousands of eager onlookers to welcome the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mackinaw, officially commencing the 2021 Coast Guard Festival.
featured
Gender bias remains a barricade for many women in the workforce and military, but at this year’s 2021 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, 31-year-old reservist Sara Prendergast sets the bar in exemplifying viable change.
Ensign Molly Wannamaker, formerly of Grand Haven, graduated from Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 25.
featured
HOLLAND — The U.S. Coast Guard plans to close its station in Holland next year and consolidate operations with its station in Grand Haven, citing the ability to better staff a single location to respond to situations.
featured
Kirk McKay thanked his family, the friends he’s made over the years and God, as he wrapped up a decorated 30-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday morning.
featured
Local veterans celebrated Flag Day on Monday with a flag dedication ceremony at the new Quality Car Wash in Grand Haven.
David Barbier choked up as he talked about his reasons for celebrating Memorial Day during a ceremony Monday morning at Spring Lake Cemetery.
A short parade and a service at Lynn Sherwood Memorial Stadium highlighted the Memorial Day celebrations in Grand Haven on Monday, May 31, 2021.
top story
A large crowd gathered at the Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium late Monday morning for the city of Grand Haven’s annual Memorial Service.
On the eve of the Memorial Day weekend, members of the Grand Haven American Legion, VFW, Eagles and Elks clubs met at Lake Forrest Cemetery and placed flags at veterans’ graves.
Poppies have been the official flower of the American Legion family since 1920. Poppy Day (the Friday before Memorial Day) is a day of commemoration to honor the men and women who gave their lives while protecting our freedoms, and to send the indelible message to living veterans that their …
WASHINGTON — Congressman Bill Huizenga recently announced that he will host a virtual information session for students interested in learning more about attending one of the United States service academies.
featured
Richard Boone Jr. didn’t have a lot of family or friends, but when he joined the U.S. Navy in 1973, he joined a fraternity that would always have his back.
featured
The American Legion Post 28 Grand Haven Honor Guard and Rifle Team conducted a special memorial ceremony at Lake Forest Cemetery in Grand Haven this past Friday.
featured
GRAND HAVEN TWP. — On Aug. 13, 2019, I stood on the elevated tee box of the 13th hole at the former Grand Haven Golf Club and watched golf legend Jack Nicklaus sketch out ideas for a green on what is now the fourth hole at the soon-to-open American Dunes Golf Club.
featured
It won’t be the 18-time major champion and 73-time PGA Tour winner Jack Nicklaus who will leave a lasting impression on his newly designed American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven Township.
Former Grand Haven graduate and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jon R. Stanley will put on his uniform for the final time on Friday.
top story
More than a century after Charles A. Conklin’s death, Grand Haven’s first fallen soldier in World War I has been posthumously awarded with a Purple Heart.
WASHINGTON — Several members of Michigan’s congressional delegation on Wednesday delivered Chick-fil-A gift cards and snacks to Michigan National Guard members deployed to the U.S. Capitol.
At 17 years old, Robert “Top” Vermurlen was a Marine, training for the invasion of Japan.
featured
It is still a mystery how Grand Haven’s first fallen soldier in World War I died, three days after his squadron was ordered to move toward the German front line.
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow recently nominated 11 West Michigan students for admission at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Po…
More than 3,000 toys were collected and turned over to two local churches for distribution to more than 300 children in the Grand Haven area through the Lakeshore Marine Corps Toys for Tots, according to local volunteer Bill Peake.
STEUBEN (AP) — A Wisconsin-based fighter jet crashed in a national forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula while on a training mission and searchers were looking Wednesday for the pilot, who was the only person aboard, authorities said.
top story
Janet Fongers, commander of the American Legion Post 28, led a small ceremony at Grand Haven’s Eternal Flame on Wednesday morning in honor of Veterans Day.
featured
Veterans Day is one day to appreciate and thank soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors who spent years of their lives defending our country’s freedom and protecting the rights of the American people.
featured
This upcoming Veterans Day will look very different from years past.
Ben Braymer likes to run.
SAN DIEGO — Statues have been toppled. Flags have been lowered. America’s reckoning with its history of racism has spread across the country and is now casting its eyes toward the sea.
top story
While most of Grand Haven’s Coast Guard Festival has been canceled amid the pandemic, what was mostly preserved was the annual U.S. Coast Guard National Memorial Service.
featured
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series to salute the U.S. Coast Guard, as this week is traditionally the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival week. The 2020 festival was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
featured
Editor’s note: This article is part of a series to salute the U.S. Coast Guard, as this week is traditionally the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival week. The 2020 festival was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
featured
I was fairly new to the U.S. Coast Guard when I was offered a job at the Coast Guard Group in Grand Haven. I was originally from Michigan, so I was quite excited about getting this job and the fact of being back in my home state.
featured
Loutit District Library is joining downtown Grand Haven businesses in a window display contest honoring the U.S. Coast Guard.
top story
Editor’s note: This article is the first in a series to salute the U.S. Coast Guard, as this week is traditionally the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival week. The 2020 festival was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
featured
The commander of Coast Guard Sector Field Office Grand Haven always faces a wide range of challenges, but Lt. Brian Howard has faced more than his share of adversity during his time in charge.
Today marks a very special day for the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post 28 Grand Haven.
top story
In observance of Memorial Day, members of the American Legion Post 28 placed hundreds of flags on veterans’ graves at Grand Haven’s Lake Forest Cemetery on Thursday.
Commented