The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, located 50400 Cherry Hill Road, is set to honor area service men and service women who have served and who are currently serving in the Armed Forces in a special “Salute to Service” ceremony which will be held Friday, November 11, 2016.
This special Veterans Day celebration will recognize military personnel currently in active duty in our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves, as well as veterans of the armed services for their exceptional commitment and dedication.
The public is encouraged to attend this free event, presented by Canton Township. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the public to enjoy exhibited military memorabilia displays and a cookie and punch pre-show reception, prior to the start of the formal stage presentation at 7 p.m.
NEW FEATURED GUEST: This year's honored guest will be U.S. Army SSgt. Dewey Smith, a Vietnam Veteran who was one of the last eight soldiers of B Company who was rescued via helicopter by U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Charles Kettles on May 15, 1967. This special presentation will include video interviews of Lt. Col. Charles Kettles, who recently fell ill after being awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, by President Barack Obama at the White House for his life-saving efforts of rescuing soldiers, who were trapped in a river valley in South Vietnam. Kettles, a UH-1D Huey helicopter pilot who was serving as a flight commander assigned to the 176th Aviation Company, is credited with saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his own crew members. Hear Sgt. Dewey Smith recall being rescued by Lt. Col. Kettles, who was described by President Barack Obama, as “…the reason they lived and came home and had children and grandchildren. Entire family trees, made possible by the actions of this one man.”
The program will also feature musical tributes sung by the Workman Elementary Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Keri L. Mueller.
In addition to the formal presentation, items for service men and women will be collected by the Michigan Military Moms, including individual size or travel size: disposable hand and foot warmers; foot and body powder; Q-tips; Beef Jerky; hot chocolate mix; wipes; granola/power bars; and monetary donations to offset postage. Please note that all items must be small enough to fit a 12” x 12” x 8” U.S. Priority box.
Join us as we salute all veterans, living and deceased, and especially those active duty military men and women who are currently serving in harm's way in far-away places and across our homeland. For more information about this free event at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill, please call 734/394-5300 or visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org.