A bronze plaque created to honor veterans from the Civil War to present buried in Leelanau Township cemeteries will be dedicated on May 25 during the township’s annual Memorial Day service. Leelanau Township recently received a $6,000 grant from the Leelanau Township Community Foundation (LTCF) to help purchase the plaque and to build a pamphlet listing the township veterans who have passed on. The pamphlet, when finished, will be available at the Omena Historical Society as well as the Northport Area Heritage Association.
The completed plaque will have the saying “all gave some, some gave all” printed on it, and will have listed the wars from the Civil War to current. It will also feature an American eagle and flag, and a notation of the United States milestone 250th anniversary being observed this year. The plaque itself is anticipated to be two feet tall by three feet wide and will be displayed on a large rock that was relocated to the Leelanau Township Cemetery from the Omena area.
Leelanau Township Supervisor Barb Conley said they pursued the creation of the plaque dedication this year to honor veterans on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the declaration of independence. The exact number of veterans buried in Leelanau Township cemeteries is unknown, however, Conley said they are working to gather that information in the meantime. According to the March township supervisor report, about 10% of residents in Leelanau County have traditionally served the country in the military.
