The Van Antwerp family with the Governors Special Tribute,

Michigan celebrates the life of Eugene I VanAntwerp during special event for Armistice Day Centennial in Detroit 

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

The Michigan World War I Centennial Committee hosted a special commemorative ceremony last week, to honor a heroic native-son, and to dedicate this year's Veterans Day/Armistice Day to his memory. Our Centennial Commission was represented at the ceremony by Commissioner Debra Anderson.

Mayor Van AntwerpThat native-son was Eugene I. VanAntwerp, former mayor of Detroit from 1948-1959, and National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 1938-1939.

When World War I broke out, Eugene VanAntwerp was doing engineering work first for the Michigan Central Railroad and then for the Grand Trunk Railroad, connecting Canada with the United States.

He accepted a commission, and served as a captain in 16th Regiment of Engineers(Railway) from Detroit in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World War I. With that unit, he was among the first members of the Allied Expeditionary Force to land in France, serving in 1917-1919, and using his unique skills, he helped to recreate the limited railroad system of France, in order to support the massive influx of American troops during the war.

VanAntwerp's military career was symbolic of a huge industrial effort by the United States -- and by Michigan -- to bring an end to the fighting in Europe.

VFW National Council Member Michigan Harry Croyle speaking at the ceremonyDuring the First World War, the state of Michigan contributed over 135,000 service men and women and had over 5,000 casualties. Another of Michigan's biggest contribution to the war effort was its world-class engineering and manufacturing capability. Auto, truck, and mechanical production companies utilized the "Assembly Line Process", where engineers would break down products into small components that could be manufactured by unskilled labor allowed the business of warfare to expand to levels never dreamed of. "Total War" the waging of war -- not by the armies of a country, but by their economic power -- began in the First World War. And Michigan proved to be the manufacturing leader in the United States.

As with the United States, Van Antwerp was forever changed by his experience with the war, and it brought him to new levels of prominence. After he returned, he went into politics, was soon elected to the Detroit City Council, and would later become mayor during the city's golden age of manufacturing. Further, VanAntwerp started working with veterans issues after the war, and he later became the National Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 1938-1939.

Both the city of Detroit, and the Michigan State Legislature passed proclamations honoring the memory of Eugene VanAntwerp on the Armistice Centennial. This proclamations were presented to his descendants at a ceremony that featured VFW National Council Member Michigan Harry Croyle, as well as our WW1CC Commissioner Debra Anderson as guest speakers.

After the ceremony, Anderson stated "I was proud to represent our organization in honoring the memory of Eugene I. Van Antwerp. There was a good turnout, good program, and all were proud to be associated with the remembrance of a WWI veteran".

Captain Van Antwerp on parade with his troops after returning from the war.

State of Michigan Proclamation

City of Detroit Proclamation