Next Meeting: September 7, 2018
10 am at the 3411 N. MLK Blvd. Room 229 Lansing,MI 48906
Call in number is 517 481 7100 1003# 8080#
Also, our website ww1cc.org/michigan, please email me any events or news items that should published.
Michigan World War One Centennial Commission Meeting
Minutes of May 4, 2018
Location: Michigan National Guard Headquarters, Lansing, Michigan
Meeting started at 10:00 am
Present: Edwin Fogarty, Denny Olsen, Angela Simpson, Jerry Benson, Jack Dempsey, Mark Sutton, Dennis Skupinski, Joe Calvaruso, Steve Kozera, Tim Loney, Shelly Hendrick Kasprzycki, James McConnell
Motion to accept minutes by Mark Sutton, second by Joe Calvaruso, motion passed.
Old Business
VSO report – Mark Sutton next issue for MI Legionnaire coming out June first week.
Chris Causley – working on businesses that were present in WWI, finding it difficult to find information.
Jack Dempsey government report – Resolutions to Dennis by June 15. Will email to committee.
Denny Olsen – met with township associations, dropped off resolution example to Michigan Township Association (1200 members). Lansing Christmas Tree event working to get the WWI float in the Silver Bells Parade. Western Star Trucks dressing up a truck and want to be in the parade.
Logging Show in Wisconsin – Great Lakes Timber Professional Association Expo (a two state group) – Oshkosh, WI, September 6,7, and 8 doing Great War Theme. Vendors are being encouraged to dress up their vehicles in red, white, and blue. Veterans will have free entry. A request to have the 32nd Division Flag on the pin with the U.S. Flag.
Veterans Day Parade in Detroit, WWI Theme
Veterans Day Ceremony in Lansing, Report Steve Kozera – at State Capitol Rotunda set for November 8, 12-1 pm for a WWI centennial event. Ring bells, invite all new and old legislatures. Ceremony details TBA. Looking for bell ring group to perform there. Sherry volunteer to call Rotary Club if they know bell ringers. Idea to have a high school band to event. Jerry Benson will request to groups for a choir. Bugler at end for TAPS.
Traveling WWI Memorial – Working to bring WWI Memorial concept work to Grass Lake Military Heritage Museum, event is August 4-5 “Over Here” event, but would like the piece there from August 1 to August 20.
Dennis S. report – Society Automotive Engineers Expo April 12 gave speech on Liberty truck. National Donate Day first Friday of June. Original donate made in WWI. Spoke to Cops and Doughnuts. Speaker Bureau is up and running see website for list of speakers.
Continue to seek WWI veterans from people who
October 1st in Chicago at Pritzker Museum, Nationwide states caucus for the WWI committees.
New Business:
Dennis waiting on details on events at National Cathedral on national bell ringing. J. Benson trying to spread word on getting bell ringers around the state. Reaching out counties.
Dennis has a blank resolution he will send to all committee members.
Speaking opportunities coming up, Dennis will send list when these minutes go out.
Next meeting: September 7, 2018, 10 a.m.
Open discussion:
Videos ideas – Bell ringing, WWI Committee, What could VSO’s participate in WWI, What could Museum’s do with the WWI. What could Libraries do, what could a social studies class do. What are we looking for companies. Do you have a WWI ancestor? Are you a business that wants to celebrate WWI? (conversation at 40 mins), November 8 event announcements. Can we do something at two NASCAR Events?
Meeting closed: 10:50 a.m. Mark Sutton motioned to close, seconded, motion passed, meeting closed.
Next Meeting: September 7th 2018
Michigan’s World War I Centennial Commission
Friday, April 6, 2018
Meeting Minutes
Attending: Dennis Skupinski, Denny Olson, Mike VerHulst, Jerry Benson, Mark Sutton, Edwin Fogarty, Jim Spackman
Phone in: Ken Hibl, Joe Calvaruso, Rob Price, Jim McConnell, Mark Wilson
Dennis welcomed everyone to the meeting at 10:02a.m.
No corrections made for the previous meeting’s minutes. Denny Olson motioned to approve the minutes. Edwin Fogarty seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Old Business
Education Subcommittee – David
- March 24, 2018: David Hales gave a presentation to the Michigan Council for Social Studies regarding the educational resources that are available on the WWI Centennial Commission’s website. Approximately 40 teachers attended the session.
Veterans Organizations & D.A.R. – Mark
- American Legion newsletter will be sent out in the next couple weeks encouraging people to help preserve and protect WWI monuments that are outdoors.
- Asking AL members to conduct research on family members that served in WWI and share it with the AL.
Museums and Libraries – Shelley
Home Front - Chris
Government – Ken
- Efforts to raise money to restore the WWI memorial in Beaverton still underway.
- A few municipalities across the state have adopted resolutions to acknowledge the centennial of WWI and the citizens that served in the armed services during the war.
- A resolution template is being developed and will be distributed to the attendees of the Michigan Township Association.
Armistice Day Bell Ringing Ceremony – Jerry
- Jerry Benson drafted invitation for any organization that would like to participate in bell ringing ceremony.
- Churches of all denominations have been contacted. Looking for suggestions on how to include mosques and temples.
- Universities across the state have also been contacted and courthouses will be approached next.
- Dennis will provide details on the bell ringing ceremony when it is decided on the national level.
Overseas – Dennis
- Dennis working to raise awareness about the connection between Bay City and Birmingham, UK
Veteran’s Day Parade in Detroit – Dennis
- Dennis petitioning to have Nov.11 declared Eugene Van Antwerp Day
Veteran’s Day Lansing – Dennis
- Dennis will contact mayor of Lansing to inquire about a parade.
- Mark Sutton recommends holding an event on the Thursday, Nov. 8 so the Michigan State Senators and State Representatives can be in attendance.
- Discussion on the possibility of having a bell ringing ceremony in the capitol building in either the rotunda or having bell ringers in the gallery above the senate floor.
- Election Day in Nov. 6.
Traveling WWI Memorial to Michigan – Dennis
- Dennis working to bring the memorial to Michigan for the first part of August.
- Memorial is approximately 1’H x 12’W and must be displayed indoors.
- Would like to display the memorial somewhere close to Lansing.
Home Front Event August 4&5, 2018 in Grass Lake – Dennis
- Event will feature re-enactors, music, and period vehicles.
- Commissioners encouraged to attend.
Society of Automotive Engineers – Dennis
- Standard B “Liberty Truck” will be on display at Cobo Hall April 12.
- Will also be on display Sept. 10-13 at COMVEC 2018 in Rosemont, IL.
WWI Research Project for friends or relatives of commission and staff – Dennis
- Commissioners encouraged to research family members that served in WWI and write a bio to be included on the commission’s website.
Reminder: Pritzker Military Museum & Library Oct. 1, 2018
- National WWI Centennial Commission meeting will be taking place on this date.
- Representatives from Michigan’s WWI Centennial Commission are encouraged to attend if possible.
New Business
Overseas memorial services for WWI:
- Still looking for someone to attend ceremonies in France to represent Michigan.
- Mark Sutton will advertise the information in the next American Legion newsletter.
Washington D.C. National Cathedral Bell Ringing:
- Dennis still waiting on details about how the bells will be rung.
Midway Village Museum in Rockford, Illinois WWI re-enactment
- A WWI re-enactment will be held April 7-8 and features re-enactors and period vehicles.
Subcommittee goals: Assembled by Dennis
Education – David
- Michigan specific information on WWI
- Major General George O. Squier’s contributions to radio and flight technology in WWI.
Veteran’s Organizations & D.A.R. – Mark
- Write article on WWI for several veteran’s magazines about Michigan’s connections to Veteran’s Day (Eugene Van Antwerp story).
Museums & Libraries – Shelley
- Establish a program for libraries and museums to participate in Armistice Bell Ringing Ceremony on Nov 11, 2018 at 11 a.m.
Home front – Chris
- Compile list of Michigan manufacturers and the products they made for WWI.
Overseas – Dennis
- To have someone represent Michigan this fall at the WWI ceremonies in Europe.
- To connect the cities of Bay City, MI and Birmingham, U.K. in a recognition ceremony of Austin Village.
Government – Jack
- Proclamation signed by Governor and Mayor of Detroit recognizing Eugene Van Antwerp Day on Nov. 11, 2018
Lansing Christmas Tree lighting – Denny
- Denny following up with Western Star Trucks regarding the use of a “Stars and Stripes” show truck in the “Silver Bells in the City” parade
- Local Western Star dealer said they are onboard with the project
Ken: Proclamation for the Michigan Municipal League and the City of Clare. Also to help with Austin Village
Open Forum
- Cops N’ Donuts has been participating in National Donut Day for the last few years. They expressed willingness to display posters provided by the WWI Centennial Commission at all their locations.
- Interest has been shown in the speakers bureau. Any commissioners that have a WWI presentation should send information on the presentation to Dennis to be included in the speakers bureau.
- Jim Spackman recommended developing a WWI banner to display outside Camp Custer
Next meeting will take place May 4th at 10:00 a.m. at the same location.
Michigan's World War I Centennial Commission
Meeting Minutes
Friday, March 2, 2018
Attending: Dennis Skupinski, Denny Olson, Mike VerHulst, Jerry Benson, Matt VanAcker,
Phone In:Chris Causley, Ken Hibl, David Hales, Joe Calvaruso, Rob Price, Mark Sutton, Jack Dempsey, Mark Wilson, Jim Spurr
Dennis welcomed everyone to the meeting at 10:02a.m.
Special Guests Matt VanAcker and Jerry Benson from the Michigan State Capitol gave a brief history of battle flags that are on display in the rotunda of the capitol building. Among the flags are reproductions of battle flags carried by Michigan units during World War I. The original flags are in storage at the Michigan Historical Center. Information about Michigan’s battle flags can be found at capitol.michigan.gov/battleflags.
Minutes from the last commission meeting had one correction: David Hales’ name to be corrected from “Hale” to “Hales.” Denny Olson motioned to approve the minutes. Mike VerHulst seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Mike VerHulst contacted Larry Wagenaar of the Historical Society of Michigan about featuring the commission in the Michigan History Magazine. No space is available in the magazine but the commission was offered space in the Historical Society of Michigan’s newsletter to encourage museums and other history organizations across the state to create programming related to World War I. Mike will work with Dennis to write up information for the newsletter.
Education Committee:
- Education committee drafted a purpose statement for their subcommittee
- March 24, 2018: David Hales will present to the Michigan Council for Social Studies about the educational resources on the WWI Centennial Commission’s website
- Recommends using the educational resources from the national WWI commission’s website on the Michigan WWI commission website
- Lesson plans should be drafted to help teachers teach about WWI throughout the state of Michigan
Dennis informed the commission of memorials that will be taking place overseas in the fall of 2018. If any commissioners are able to attend please contact Dennis.
The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. will hold a bell ringing ceremony at 11am on Nov. 11, 2018 to commemorate the centennial of the armistice. Anyone that is able to attend is encouraged to do so to represent Michigan. Also, the National Plan is to have bells ringing starting at 11am in each time zone across the country on November 11th. Please contact your local churches, schools etc that have bells so that they can participate. More information at the next meeting.
October 1, 2018 will be the National States WW1 Centennial caucus in Chicago,IL at the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. The National WW1 Centennial Commissioners will be there along with commissions from other states. Please plan on attending. This should last all day so plan on arriving Sunday and leaving Tuesday or late Monday night.
Dennis mentioned a traveling WWI memorial that could be brought to Michigan if museums and cities around the state would be willing to host it. It is the model of the National Memorial that will be located in Pershing Park Washington D.C.
http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/honor/national-wwi-memorial.html
There is a national WWI poster contest that is open to people of all ages. There are separate youth and adult categories. Dennis will provide a link at the next meeting, the National WW1 Centennial Commission has not officially posted the competition site as of this date.3-4-2018
If you have or will do a WW1 presentation, please send Dennis an email with the title of your presentation so that he can post it on the webpage and form a speakers bureau.
Dennis encourages all member of the commission to research family members that served in the armed forces during WWI and to assemble a short biography and any photos that might be available. These biographies will be added to the commission’s website.
Dennis is working with the Daughters of the American Revolution to create programming related to WWI that will take place on the state level. Currently, DAR only has programming on a national scale. I am working with Nancy Marshall out of the Ann Arbor location.
The band Sabaton was presented with the Award of Excellence and Challenge Coins by the commission for their songs about battles in World War I. The award was presented in Grand Rapids during the band’s concert on February 26, 2018. The band then played one of their World War I songs titled “The Lost Battalion.”
April 12, 2018: The Society of Automotive Engineers, World Congress Experience at Cobo Center in Detroit will feature a presentation on the Standard B Liberty Truck by Dennis Skupinski. No Liberty Truck will be available but a display will be set up. The Liberty Truck was designed by the S.A.E. during WW1 and became the first purpose built military truck with standardized parts. At Rosemont, IL at COMVEC 18 (September 10-13) will feature the Liberty Truck from the 1st Division Museum and the display from Detroit.
August 4-5, 2018: A Home Front event will be held at the Michigan Military Heritage Museum in Grass Lake
Each subcommittee is tasked with developing 2-4 goals or projects to promote awareness about WWI. The projects do not have to take place during the commissions term which ends in December of 2018. There are a number of events which happened after the Armistice was signed. Jerry Benson noted that the last troops to come home to Michigan arrived on Belle Isle on July 4, 1919.
The Silver Bells Parade in Lansing will be held on November 16, 2018. Denny Olson suggested the commission try to secure a spot in the parade lineup. Denny has a contact that can provide a truck and trailer to pull a float.
Salvation Army National Donut Day is June 1. (First Friday in June) The Commission will pursue options to partner with the Salvation Army and Donut shops to promote this day of remembrance. Ken Hibl will contact Cops N’ Donuts about providing donuts for the event. If you know a local Donut shop owner or manager ask them to get involve. Chris will coordinate this with hs local Salvation Army contacts from last year.
April 14, 2018: Tallis Choir from England will perform WWI songs as the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. Michigan Military Heritage Museum has put together and Honor Guard and 4 Minute Man for the event. Members of the commission are encouraged to attend.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-tallis-scholars-war-and-peace-tickets-38820385819
Ken Hibl mentioned that the Michigan Municipal League Conference is this month. Ken wrote a memo that will be sent to city managers across the state to declare their cities “Centennial Cities.” Dennis will give remarks regarding WWI and the commission to the attendees of the conference.
Next meeting will take place April 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the same location.
Denny Olson motioned to adjourn. Mark Sutton seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:57 a.m.
Mike VerHulst motioned to adjourn. Deny Olson seconded. Meeting adjourned at 10:56 a.m.
Michigan's World War I Commission Meeting Minutes
Friday, February 2, 2018
Attending: Col. Jim Spackman, Chris Causley, James Spurr, David Hale, Jack Dempsey, Susan Mennega (special guest), Dennis Skupinski, Mark Sutton, Edwin Fogarty, Tim Loney, Mike VerHulst, Denny Olson, Shelly Kasprzycki, Major Corissa Barton of National Guard.
Dennis welcomed everyone to the meeting at 10:02 am.
Special Guest Susan Mennega provided an overview of projects. Susan Mennega is the WWI Project Manager for Pritzker Military Museum and Library. She congratulated the commission on their work. Everything we are doing in being documented on the federal register for all the states and will go into the National Archives. Dennis created a social media presence as well, as other many other states.
Susan leads 12 states in the Midwest. Please let Susan know the list of events across the state as they will be shared, and she will attend what she can. They can also provide recognition at events. 7.5 million dollars was set aside to fund centennial work, and there is a skeletal staff to support the projects around the nation. If and when the federal budget is approved, there is a 3 million appropriation for the centennial.
Susan invited everyone to visit Midway Village Museum for a WWI reenactment in Rockford, Illinois.
There will be a podcast and meeting on October 1, 2018 at the Pritzker Museum and Library in Chicago commission members can attend.
There will be a nationwide event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. All ring bells at 11 am on 11/11/18 across the country. This is in the planning phase. She also invited everyone to Washington, DC on November 8th at the National Cathedral.
If people are interested in World War I genealogy, please contact Pritzker Museum & Library’s Teri Embrey tembrey@pritzkermilitary.org
The 100 Cities/100 Memorials is a matching grant for communities who would like to restore a World War 1 monument or memoral. It is sponsored by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In round one Beaverton, Michigan’s monument “The Survivor” was selected. It is located at: 3220 W. Lang Rd. Beaverton,MI 48612.
https://www.facebook.com/wwiinventory/posts/107040139642744
The contact is Ed Rachwitz, appleed@hotmail.com The Michigan commission should do something special, a visit and presentation of the 100 Cities/100 Memorials the plaque was suggested. Denny suggested hosting a meeting up in Beaverton and visiting other historical sites as well. Susan asked that if there were any other really outstanding historical memorial, please let her know. Perhaps recognition can be provided.
Old Business
Mark motioned to accept the December 15, 2017 minutes; Mike Seconded the meeting, Mike motioned to accept minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
Mike requested information from the Michigan Association of Museums and requested they provide WWI dates of events to Dennis.
On March 24th, the second day of the Michigan Council for Social Studies Conference there will be a session on WWI teaching resources. This will take place at Macomb County ISD. Saturday, March 17th will host a presentation on World War I scholars. The workshop cost is now free. The location is Wayne RESA in Wayne.
The Governor Proclamation will be sought through a subcommittee.
Chris Causley sent out a manufacturing and business list from WWI. Dennis noticed the Grand Rapids Airplane Company was left out, and Ford Motor Company in Dearborn made Eagle boats and should be on list. This is a work in progress.
Mike will reach out to Larry Waggoner. Mike suggested that we also reach out to Michigan History Day (student projects throughout the state), which will take place on April 28th. David suggested it isn’t practical this year as projects have already been submitted regionally.
Dennis reported there are very few reenactors in Michigan, though an event will take place in Grass Lake. Jack Dempsey provided a list of historical markers around the state and it was sent out last night. He also provided a vignette done by Michigan Historical Foundation (see website.)
David will be meeting in universities on February 10th.
Denny reported there aren’t any events so far in the Upper Peninsula. Denny has been in touch with Congressman Bergman, who serves on Veteran’s Affairs committee. In the first weekend in June in 2018, Denny will try to have Bergman recognize WWI in Dickinson County. He is also hoping to have a tour list around the UP commemorating WWI.
New Business
Pritzker Museum will host a special event on October 1, 2018 with the National Commission of World War I Centennial.
There is no date on Beaverton memorial recognition yet.
Shelly will report back on the Ojibwa Culture Center on the war memorial.
Subcommittees:
Educational Subcommittee: David has a wealth of resources available for classrooms. David has three educators on the committee including Randy Schon, Paul Schienler, and Michelle Anderson.
Veterans Organizations and DAR: Mark can be on that. Mark will put out articles and other materials. Please contact Dennis if you have a good contact at Michigan DAR.
Museums and Libraries: Mike and Shelly.
Homefront: Chris Causley – set up Homefront and what it was like during the war here at home.
Overseas: Dennis will head it up.
Government: proclamations, etc. Also Sister City sort of thing with England about the Austin Village. Perhaps Jack Dempsey, Denny, and Ken Hibl. Carl Levin has a strong interest in the Austin Village issue.
August 4 and 5 will be a major event in Grass Lake Michigan with vehicles and demonstrations.
The schedule for meetings from here will be the first Friday on the month. The next meeting will be March 2, 2018 at 10 am at this location.
Michigan World War I Centennial Commission Meeting Minutes
December 15, 2017
Attending: J. Calvaruso, C. Causley, J. Dempsey, E. Fogarty, D. Hales, K. Hibl, S. Kasprzycki,
- D. Skupinski, M. Sutton, D. Olson, M. Verhult, M. Wilson, MG Vadnais, M. Stone, T. Loney, M.
Stone, S. Kozera, A. Simpson.
Absent: J.Spurr
Welcome
Major General Vadnais welcomed the commission members and military staff to the meeting and
asked commission members to introduce themselves. He then called for election of officers, and
asked that we have open discussion about plans, and set a meeting date following.
Election of Officers
Mark Sutton motioned that Dennis Skupinski be elected Chair; seconded by Denny Olson.
Motion carried unanimously.
Denny Olson motioned to elect Mark Sutton as Vice Chair; seconded by David Hales. Motion
carried unanimously.
K.Hibl motioned to elect Shelly Kasprzycki as Secretary; seconded by Jack Dempsey. Motion
carried unanimously.
Open Discussion
The commission discussed the following key components of plans:
- • Kasprzycki will ask museums who is doing World War I displays or events and compile a
list.
- • Skupinski will share the humanities grants link on the website. Anyone who has
information to submit to the website, please email michigan@worldwar1centennial.org.
- • The website address is ww1cc.org/Michigan.
- • The national logo will be adopted by Michigan with “Michigan” below the logo.
- • Skupinski has a power point presentation that can be shared throughout Michigan.
- • David Hale is conducting two workshops in March (see website for information).
- • We will want to focus on encouraging citizens to visit their local museums and projects,
especially for Armistice Day.
- • Thursday, November 8 is the last state legislative session day. The committee agreed that
we will want a Governor’s proclamation and perhaps a plaque or memorial of some kind,
modeled after successful other memorials done. MG Vandais will bring full color
military representation, and has the connections to see if there is legislative support.
- • Sutton suggested that we recognize manufacturing businesses around the state who
contributed to the arsenal of democracy. Causley will provide a list.
- • Sutton will share with all schools the list of local museum activities and educational
programs available.
- • Larry Waggoner of the Historical Society of Michigan will be contacted to promote the
WW1 commission work. Mike Verhult will handle this and coordinate local history
information.
- • An essay contest is possible, but the national logo will be used. There may not be time
for an essay contest.
- • Mark Sutton volunteered the American Legion Foundation as fiduciary if needed.
- • Skupinski will check on the availability of WW1 reenactors.
- • Dempsey will provide a list of historical markers regarding WW1.
- • Hales will make connections with the universities.
- • Olson asked that any plans around the state must include the Upper Peninsula.
Contributions from the mining industry and Michigan Technological University were
invaluable.
- • The commission may schedule field trips to various museum displays.
- • Dempsey will provide the vignette done by the Michigan Historical Foundation in
conjunction with WKAR.
Next Meeting Date
The next meeting will take place on Friday, February 2, 2018 at 10 am at the Military Affairs
Room 229, 3411 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
A list of commission members, with phone and email addresses, will be shared by Skupinski.
A motion was made by Dempsey to adjourn at 11:20 am; seconded by Olson. Motion carried
unanimously
Dennis Skupinski of Ann Arbor is retired and a World War 1 Aficionado . He has been leading the effort to commemorate the centennial of World War I in Michigan by producing Michigan’s World War I Centennial News Report since June of 2012 and being the state representative to the U.S. World War 1 Centennial Commission. Skupinski attended the U.S. Military Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Michigan State University.
Mark Sutton of Eaton Rapids is the public relations director of the American Legion Department of Michigan and the president of the Michigan American Legion Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Walsh College.
Shelly Kasprzycki of Jackson is the executive director of the Michigan Humanities Council, where she works with the board of directors to connect people, grants, programs, and communities to create quality cultural programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in health administration from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in public health education from Central Michigan University.
Edwin Fogarty of Hillsdale is an adjunct mathematics instructor at Jackson College and the great-nephew of a World War I veteran. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and psychology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in mathematics and statistics from Wayne State University.
Michigan's World War One Centennial mission is to educate the residents of Michigan about it's contribution to the war effort. 
