Veterans are used to staging rescue operations.

But saving this year's Grand Traverse Bay Fourth of July fireworks
celebration from extinction proved to be a challenge ­ until an army of
volunteers and the National Cherry Festival saved the day.

"We've pulled it off, and I really feel good about that," said Grand
Traverse Area Veterans Coalition president Larry Butcher, who earlier this
month announced that financial commitments have been secured from more than
a dozen governmental entities, including Elmwood Township, to fund the
fireworks show on Independence Day this year.

The announcement came about a year after the National Cherry Festival
indicated it would no longer organize the fireworks because of declining
financial support. That was before the veterans coalition and the Grand
Traverse/Leelanau Veterans Affairs Department stepped in, however. Cherry
Festival officials now say the new cooperative arrangement will not only
result in a fireworks show for this year, but should lead to the displays
becoming a Fourth of July tradition.

"They (the veterans groups) took the initiative, we liked what we heard from
them, and we've been working with Larry and the VA folks on ways to move
forward," said Cherry Festival executive director Tom Menzel.

Butcher said he and other veterans coalition members have been working with
Chuck Lerchen, director of the local VA office, and attending governmental
meetings in a bid to get financial commitments.

"We've been batting a thousand on our requests. Everybody has been
supportive," said Butcher. He added that in addition to a $1,267.50
commitment that was approved by the Elmwood Township board last month,
funding has also been pledged from the City of Traverse City, Grand Traverse
County and several Grand Traverse townships. In addition, the coalition
received an anonymous $2,500 donation, pushing the total past the $30,000
goal.

"It was a coalition effort," Butcher said. "Obviously, one person can't be
everywhere at once, but through outreach and having people go to meetings,
and the support we¹ve gotten from various veterans groups, we're reached our
goal." He said support came from members of VFW, American Legion, Vietnam
Veterans of America, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of Union
Veterans, the Global War on Terrorism group, and women¹s auxiliaries.
Lerchen released a memo to tourism and government officials last month that
indicated the goal had been reached.

"This initiative undertaken by the Veterans Coalition with our office's
assistance in coordination and facilitation is now a success from a
fundraising standpoint," he wrote. "All contracts, insurance policies and
information have been turned over to the coalition for final endorsement.
Our office stands ready to assist in any other way possible."

Menzel said he negotiated a discounted price for both the Fourth of July
fireworks and the pyrotechnics display that serves as the official
conclusion to the Cherry Festival on July 14. He said the price ­ $39,000 ­
covers the cost of fireworks for both shows. It also includes the use of a
barge, which will be anchored off Elmwood Township, where the fireworks will
be launched on July 4 and July 14. The festival will share the total costs
with the money raised by veterans.

Next year, Menzel said he will issue a request for proposal for bids on the
two fireworks shows, which he hopes will bring the total price down even
more.

Butcher cited the veterans' creed ­ "our service does not stop when our
uniforms come off" ­ and a patriotic duty for the efforts to save the
fireworks.

"It's just like Mom, Christmas and apple pie. You've just got to have
fireworks on the Fourth of July," he said. "Even though we've had some rough
times, we're still a great country, and there¹s nothing more symbolic than
fireworks on this nation's most important holiday. We're proud to be
Americans, and proud to help."