A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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First, I want to thank each of you for assisting our community in having a safe and enjoyable Halloween celebration in town. It was fantastic seeing Northvillians go “all out” decorating their homes for the thousands of youths that converge on our downtown. If you haven’t walked the downtown area during Halloween, it is truly quite an experience…our own Norman Rockwell celebration (put it on your calendar for next year).

During this week, I will focus on remembrances in the Ville as it relates to Veterans Day. This month the Chamber of Commerce will honor our Northville Military Veterans through the community banner program, which features close to 250 of our veteran heroes on light poles around downtown. Accordingly, I will look back on those who have defended the freedoms of our country as I speak at the VFW Hall, American Legion and at the Allen Terrace Senior Housing Center this Friday (Veterans Day).

This week pays homage to our Veterans from the Civil War, the War of 1812, the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII and the wars of Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan – to all those who served honorably in the military, both wartime and peacetime. At Rural Hill, our Veteran Memorial area was established 70 years ago as a final resting place for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our liberties.

Before we take a historical look at Armistice Day and Veterans Day activities, I wanted to offer a backdrop on the beginnings of Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day till 1954). It is a federal holiday observed annually on November 11^th to honor military veterans. It marks the anniversary of the truce signed at the end of WWI, which formally ended the Great War on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month of 1918 (the actual day my mother was born). Growing up, the front page of the Detroit News was prominently displayed under glass at our home, commemorating the end of WWI and also my mother’s birth (an ending and a beginning).

Now, I would like to review some of the events happening in town this month:
* Military & Veteran Banner Program – Stroll through town in November and view over 250 hero banners honoring those brave individuals from our community who are serving or who have proudly served our Country.

* Marie Antoinette’s Birthday – (11/10), 3:00 – 6:00 PM, Mill Race Village – Celebrate with Cake! LINK ([link removed])

* Holiday Greens and Winter Market (11/19-11/20) in Downtown Northville

* Holiday Lighted Santa Parade – (SATURDAY, 11/19) – 6:30 PM Downtown

* Northville’s Parmenter’s Cider Mill, since 1873 – (630 Baseline), Open till November 20^th, ensure you check out their Northville Winery & Brewing Co.

* Leaf Collection Weeks – North of 8 Mile: 11/7 & 12/5, South of 8 Mile: 10/31 & 11/18

* VFW Remembrance Ceremony (11/11), 11:00 AM – VFW Hall, 438 Northville Road

* Northville Car Show/Gathering (11/12), 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM, OVS – 212 E. Cady

* It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play - Tipping Point Theatre (11/17 – 12/18) – 361 E. Cady, LINK ([link removed]) for ticket and show info

* Goodfellows Paper Drive (11/19) – This annual Rotary event for the betterment of community charities, including Civic Concern, will occur 11/19, 9AM - 3PM. Please be generous when you see local Rotarians selling papers for the aid of those in need.

NOW LET'S LOOK AT THE REMEMBRANCES AROUND VETERANS DAY THROUGH THE YEARS:
* Northville has always had a great sense of national pride. As mentioned before, the Military Banner Program is sponsored by the Chamber and highlights our local heroes on pole-mounted flags around the Historic District.

* In WWII, my father was a proud Marine (is there any other kind?) and my mother was a “Rosie the Riveter” at the Willow Run B24 Liberator plant which was part of the “Arsenal of Democracy”. As we have noted previously, Northville was an immense contributor to the national war efforts over the years (and as a commercial and manufacturing center, Northville was number 2 economically in the state of Michigan until the 1920’s).

* My brother, who served in Vietnam, ended up being the Dean of the Culver Military School in Culver, Indiana. A banner in his memory, along with that of my father, is displayed downtown.

* We in the community are truly indebted to everyone at the VFW Post and the American Legion for their patriotism and for all they do for our community.

* Additionally, Northvillians truly owe our veterans a great debt for their commitment and sacrifice to protect our freedoms. The Record historically featured local citizens in its paper when they enlisted, served & returned.

* The VFW Post sponsors the annual Memorial Day parade and maintains the Veterans portion of the Rural Hill Cemetery, which includes placing flags on all our fallen heroes’ gravesites each year. It is truly Northville’s Arlington-like memorial area.

* The Northville's American Legion has been serving veterans in our community for 103 years. Personally, I will always be grateful for their sponsorship of “Boys State” in which I participated in 1978, and that experience inspired me to become your servant mayor (41 years later!).

During this month, please slow down and thank those in uniform as well as family & friends that have served to keep the freedoms we enjoy today. Those who defend our liberties and ideals should never be forgotten.

Keep that Northville Patriotic Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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