The spirit of Veterans Day will be on display starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday at an observance hosted by the Lake Leelanau VFW Post.
In fact, the guest speaker embodies that appreciation for members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have defended the freedoms inherent to America.
“My message will be that freedom doesn’t come free,” said retired Lt. Colonel Brett Kaufman, an Elmwood Township resident who piloted F-16s during operations Enduring Freedom and Northern Watch in the war in Iraq. He served in the Michigan Air National Guard.
“Every veteran out there dedicated themselves to something greater than themselves. I am honored to be given the opportunity to talk about veterans and what it’s like being in the service,” Kaufman continued.
He recalled an opportunity in his life to show appreciation to former World War II bomber pilot Claude L. Porter of Suttons Bay. Porter became a mentor to Kaufman while he was training to become a National Guard pilot. After getting his wings, Kaufman invited his friend to pay a visit to the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center.
“I asked him if he wanted to sit in the cockpit of a F-16. Of course he did. He was older then, but you would have thought he was 10 years old. He shimmied up that ladder like it was nothing. It was awesome,” Kaufman recalled.
Porter was shot down over Germany and became a prisoner of war. He retired from the U.S. Air Force with the same rank as Kaufman — lieutenant colonel — in 1976, then went on to retire from Pere Marquette Railways and start a tool company in Traverse City. He passed in 2003.
Kaufman believes discipline taught through military services provides preparation for a successful life. After retiring from the Air National guard, he signed on as a commercial pilot. When interviewed he was in Indiana awaiting his next assignment.
“I think military service is a great thing for everyone to experience. You receive training, and it makes you appreciate your freedom. I don’t want to say without having served people are war mongrels. But if you have never been there, it’s easy to talk about war and not realize the jeopardy you put your life in,” he said.
Serving in the National Guard might be looked upon as part time — until it isn’t.
“The hardest thing about the air national Guard is you have to anticipate leaving. And then it’s the same as being in the Air Force,” Kaufman said.
For National Guard pilots, deployments can be long or short. Kaufman was called overseas twice, each time for months rather than years. Within his unit, those providing aircraft support and maintenance were usually deployed longer.
“They spent a long time there. When we had dinners with them we would only talk about when we were leaving, and not about when we got there,” Kaufman said.
He and his wife, Katie, have been married for 28 years and have two adult daughters who graduated from Traverse City West. Aidan, the oldest, recently accepted a position working for M & M Doors in Traverse City. Cassidy is working toward a master’s degree from Indiana University.
Kaufman’s linkage to Leelanau began in 1928 when his grandparents bought a fishing cabin in the county.
Veterans Day ceremonies in recent years have been well attended under the direction of co-planners Jim Simons of Leland and Gene Kelly of Bingham Township.
Other speakers and performers include Gene’s wife, Pam, who will provide a short overview of her work with soldiers with PTSD through equine therapy; pastor Bob Alpi, who will lead the benediction, Rachel Amalfitano, who will perform the National Anthem; and Leelanau County executive assistant Lauren Cypher, who will lead in the singing of patriotic songs.
Those attending will also be provided an update on a $1 million building fundraising drive undertaken by VFW members to provide handicap accessibility to the hall, air conditioning, accessible bathrooms and other improvements. Drawings will be on display and members will be available to discuss donation options.
