Family Center founder grateful for War Memorial’s community impact

Ron and Diane Strickler were first introduced to The War Memorial in 1998. The occasion? Driver education for their teenage daughter.  

“We moved to Grosse Pointe with a 16-year-old who needed drivers ed,” Diane said. “I got her booked, got an address, and kept driving up Lake Shore, looking for the ‘institutional community center’ and it finally dawned on us that these classed were run out of this beautiful estate.”   

Since then, the Grosse Pointe Shores couple has attended various galas and patriotic celebrations, with Diane playing an integral part of a resident partner of The War Memorial, The Family Center of Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods. 

The Family Center was founded in 2000 by Diane, who at that time was a registered nurse and social worker, on the premise that knowledgeable and skilled parents foster capable, healthy, and responsible young people. Diane was the organization’s executive director for eight years.  

The Center has an office near the Business Center entrance at The War Memorial. It has been headquartered at the nonprofit organization since 2017. Prior to that, The Family Center operated from Barnes Early Childhood Center in Grosse Pointe Woods. 

In the late 1990s, Diane initially couldn’t believe the beauty of the Alger House at The War Memorial.  

“We were looking at the dining room, the mantle and all the art,” she said. “It was a beautiful old home that the 16-year-olds were in for driver’s training.” 

For Ron, The War Memorial is a place that prioritizes patriotic events. 

“My first encounter was the Memorial Day service,” he said. “When we moved here, I was told about that and found it a very moving experience and something I haven’t experienced in the United States. When I was in St. Louis, it was more about the community coming together for a picnic than it was about remembrance. That really impressed me with The War Memorial.” 

The Strickler’s have made it a point to start their Memorial Day off right, with a visit to The War Memorial for the ceremony. They plan to attend this year’s gathering on May 27 at 10 a.m. 

After Les Braves II: At Water’s Edge was dedicated here in May 2023, Ron wrote a poem about it, to the tune of “Taps.” 

He explained that while there are no associated lyrics of “Taps,” he wrote the poem because he visited the original Les Braves. 

“It was very moving,” he commented. “It was equally moving the second time around at The War Memorial.”     

In 2022, the Strickler’s traveled to Normandy, France with their grandchildren. 

Part of Ron’s poem reads “We are brothers, you and I; seize the day, fight the foe, turn the tide. I am done; take my place, freedom cries.”  

As in past years, the Strickler’s will be at An Evening of Red, White & Blue on May 22. 

“It’s about supporting the mission of The War Memorial,” Ron said about The War Memorial’s premier gala. “You do so much more, but you got to have support for your core mission.”    

In response to what The War Memorial means to them, the couple says there’s an awful lot that it has given to them professionally and socially.  

“Rotary used to meet every Monday for lunch, Friends and Neighbors used to have lunches there, and Connecting the Pointes is there,” Diane said. “The War Memorial is a hub and has a bright future.” 

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization. Do you have a special War Memorial story or memory? Join us in telling #myWMstory and share yours! 

Some Heavy Music at The War Memorial

By Betsy Alexander
Historical Education Coordinator, The War Memorial

When Marion turned over her estate to The Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association, one thing that both she and daughter Josephine were very clear about: they wanted to make sure that there were educational and cultural programs for younger people, not just adults.  

From the earliest days of The War Memorial, dances for various age groups were held – sometimes too successfully. Adult dances were very well attended, but the teen bops drew 500-800 regularly. They were usually “record parties,” or featured live jazz combos to dance to. They were also frequently themed and sponsored by War Memorial “youth advisors.”  Amid neighbors’ complaints, these early teen dances ceased after the first several years. 

By the time the 1960’s rolled around, teen dances and music were a whole other beast. Then Executive Director, John Lake, who wasn’t one for the crowds and loud noise that kids drew, was also very interested in capturing some of the younger market that The Neighborhood Club and schools like Notre Dame attracted. A competitor of Lake was The Hideout in Harper Woods, run by Dave Leone and Bob Seger’s longtime manager, Punch Andrews. Lake wanted The Hideout minus any attempted drinking, smoking, or loud noise, a “wholesome Hideout” so to speak. To ensure this, it was determined that police would be patrolling, and several chaperones would keep a vigilant eye whilst mingling not so nonchalantly. They must have been taken aback by the “psychedelic light shows” and “go-go girls” advertised for some of the dances. 

The teen dances were cautiously revived first after basketball games as a diversion, then in the form of the “Junior Other Side” and the cooler “Senior Other Side” dances, the latter featuring some surprising bands. These popular dances were frequently held Friday or Saturday nights, for Pointes-only school kids in the mid-1960’s and early 1970’s and were the ones most frequently remembered. It was many of these same bands that also appeared at The Hideout and other rock clubs, on WKNR and CKLW, and on TV shows like Detroit Tubeworks and Swingin’ Time. 

We get many reports of folks stating that they attended numerous Bob Seger shows as proms and other dances at the facility. The only four documented gigs found were on December 23, 1967, when Bob Seger and the Last Heard (“East Side Story”) appeared along with SRC (“I’m So Glad”), a very popular and well-traveled psychedelic act that also played here a few times. Exactly one year later, Bob was “ramblin’ gamblin’” in his War Memorial return with his new group, The Bob Seger System. Pointe teens must have responded very favorably to the previous year’s Yule time dance for him to get a repeat holiday performance. Tickets were $2.75 in advance, $3.25 at the door for this show. For his third War Memorial appearance, January 9,1971, saw the billing read Bob Seger Band. This was the timeframe just after The System had broken up and he was trying various ideas and musicians out. Bob’s fourth appearance was “back in ‘72” on August 3, with his career on a major upswing, and Julia as the supporting act. Many other supposed Seger War Memorial sightings have been attested to, but there is no evidence of them and, as of this writing, Bob’s still not talking. 

Notable acts that played at The War Memorial, besides the multiple appearances by SRC, including 1/7/67, 1/10/70, and 11/20/71: 

• Brownsville Station (“Smokin’ in the Boy’s Room”) 3/13/71 

• The Frost (“Rock and Roll Music”) 11/6/70 

• The Rationals (“Respect”) 10/26/68 and 2/28/69 

• Frijid Pink (“House of the Rising Sun”) 7/26/71 and 7/18/72 

• Teegarden & Van Winkle (“God, Love and Rock & Roll”) 6/29/72 

• The Kingsmen (“Louie Louie”) 7/10/66 

• Mike Quatro Jam Band 12/22/70 

• Savage Grace (7/12/71) 

• Springwell (“It’s For You”) 10/30/71 

• Third Power 8/9/71 

• Catfish Hodge 8/9/71 

• Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes (“Journey to the Center of the Mind”) 6/21/71 

Other acts that folks swear played here, but there is no evidence of, include Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Spencer Davis Group, and the MC5. 

One Grosse Pointe Woods act that presumably should have played here, but I have no documentation for, are The Pleasure Seekers, the first band fronted by Torrey Road’s Quatro sisters: Patti, Suzi, Arlene, and Nancy. I also couldn’t find anything for Cradle (Patti, Suzi, and Nancy). 

However, we do have these very cool 1960’s publicity photos of The Pleasure Seekers hanging off our old gate, standing in the knot gardens, and posing in the Reception Room. Patti Quatro, lead guitar/vocals, spoke very fondly of The War Memorial, recalling the dance classes she and her sisters took here for years. She stated that they loved coming over to the house and grounds to explore. Patti also disclosed that when hard rock group, Mountain (“Mississippi Queen”) came to town, they and the Quatro’s came over to horse around in our knot gardens! Patti is the publisher of the bands’ archival materials, having been in three pioneering all women rock bands. In one of her upcoming Rock and Roll Survivor podcasts, she mentioned that she would be talking a bit about The War Memorial.  

When I spoke with Scott Richardson, lead vocalist of SRC, he was very enthusiastic about “those amazing days” and the Grosse Pointe audiences he played for. He said the Fries Auditorium was “always packed, maybe 500-600 kids” rocking out! SRC were non-stop touring, more so than other Detroit area bands at their level, but they kept making it back to The War Memorial. They also played the Grande Ballroom’s opening night, on bills with many of the top acts of the ‘60’s, and the big festivals of the day. Once SRC broke up, Scott moved to England and lived and worked with David Bowie circa 1973-1974, before relocating to Los Angeles to work with Bob Dylan on Hearts of Fire, two of The Lord of the Rings films, and other well regarded entertainment work. 

It's true; rock and roll never forgets. 

To learn more about the history of The War Memorial and the Alger Family, please contact Betsy at  balexander@warmemorial.org to schedule a tour.

The War Memorial: Bringing great joy to many for 75 years

It has always been a memorable experience at The War Memorial for Laura Webber and her family.

Webber, of Harrison Township, grew up in the Grosse Pointe community, attending schools like Monteith Elementary School, Brownell Middle School, and Grosse Pointe North High School.

Laura has attended several events and activities over the years at the nonprofit organization.

“The grounds are always lovely” she said. “From plays to weddings, to Santa flying in on a helicopter for the Christmas breakfast for the kids, it has always been a memorable experience at The War Memorial. We have pictures of Santa getting out of the helicopter. That was the big one that we could come to.”

Over 15 years ago, Laura and her husband brought their daughters, Leah and Joelle to The War Memorial for Breakfast with Santa.

“My parents, Ronald and Marcia Pikielek, have been members of the Grosse Pointe Theatre for over 50 years,” she said. “That was initially when I started going to The War Memorial. That would have been my earliest memory of The War Memorial.”

Laura also remembers going to Battle of the Bands at The War Memorial which was a staple of entertainment for local teens from the 1970s to the 1990s.

“I want to say there were 10 bands from the area,” she said. “They all competed and everybody voted. It was people that we went to school with and that was fun. Interestingly enough, some members of one of the bands went on to be in the band Sponge.”

The Webber family also has a veteran connection to The War Memorial – Laura’s father served in the Army in the 1950s and was part of the Counter Intelligence Corps. Her husband, Lee, was in the Navy. The two veterans have come together to The War Memorial’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast.

Laura commented that The War Memorial has always been a great place for the community.

“Everything that is offered to the community, you can’t speak enough about that,” she said. “It’s brought great joy to many.”

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization. Do you have a special War Memorial story or memory? Join us in telling #myWMstory and share yours!

What was Your Name Again, Ma’am?

By Betsy Alexander
Historical Education Coordinator, The War Memorial

A nude woman of mystery has lived at The War Memorial for decades now, a 6-foot, 500 pound bronze water sculpture. Some call her “The Nymph,” “The Bronze Nymph,” or “The Nude”; whatever her actual name is has been lost to history.  

She was most likely created in 1922 in New York City by famed American sculptor, Edward McCartan. There were three versions total of essentially the same statue, the others also created circa 1922. One version, also a water sculpture, shows her bending over to capture a frog resting on her base. The other is a two-part sculpture which shows her with added wings and a gown sprinkling fairy dust over two sleeping children on a bench beneath her, the second part of the bronze piece. The latter is commonly known as the “Rock-a-By Lady” or “Dream Lady” of the popular Eugene Field Memorial at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. The War Memorial’s version was most likely the first one McCartan crafted, per a Manhattan McCartan sculpture expert. He must have been much enamored by his creation to keep utilizing the same image. 

We’re not certain how she came to travel from Roman Bronze Works in Manhattan to anchor John S. Newberry’s beautiful Four Seasons Garden at “Lake Terrace” at 99 Lake Shore Drive, nor do we know who commissioned her. A fire at the foundry decades ago destroyed their early- and mid-1920’s records, including those of McCartan’s. Her exact name, bronzing date, sale, and shipping information were all lost. 

In September of 1957, after Edith Newberry passed and the decision was made to demolish “Lake Terrace,” John Newberry gifted the water sculpture to The War Memorial.

She was installed in the formal garden between two large, rangy cottonwood trees and almost forgotten. When the trees eventually died and the area cleared, the beautiful sculpture was “re-discovered.” She eventually made her way to a newly installed reflection pool in the knot gardens and was a favorite of our visitors for years.

May 21, 2001, War Memorial staff came to work after the weekend and discovered an empty pool. She had been removed cleanly from her base in the pool - it seemed to be a very professional job. Police and other agencies became involved – including the FBI and Interpol – as this was suspected to be another major art theft. A few high-end statues and art

installations had gone missing from southeast Michigan, presumably stolen by accomplished art thieves. The War Memorial and Grosse Pointers were greatly saddened by the loss. 

Fast forward to May 6, 2009, the Detroit Police Department Underwater Recovery Team located the sculpture in 18 feet of murky water off Fox Creek while looking for a vehicle. She was covered in zebra mussels and smelled like the Detroit River, but was fine other than that. The divers were relieved that the head and shoulders protruding from the muck were not of a live woman, but of a very valuable work of art. One member of the dive team called the Detroit Historical Society, who remembered The War Memorial’s stolen sculpture, and then made the connection. After being thoroughly cleaned and buffed by Detroit’s Venus Bronze Works, she was returned to us. She greeted guests in the Fries Auditorium for years and now graces the Fred M. Alger Center outside of the ballroom; stop by and visit her. 

To learn more about the history of The War Memorial and the Alger Family, please contact Betsy at  balexander@warmemorial.org to schedule a tour.

St. Clair Shores woman recalls planning committee work at The War Memorial

The reason The War Memorial was established is pretty remarkable to Julie Norris.

“It’s not just a big house,” she said. “It’s for the people who gave their lives and served our country. When you walk in and view the big board with everyone who served is amazing.”

In March 1949, the Alger estate was deeded over to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association in honor of those who served in World War II.

Norris, of St. Clair Shores, previously resided in Grosse Pointe Farms for decades. She says that in the 1970s, The War Memorial Board of Directors asked a group of about 12 women from the community, including herself, to be on a planning committee for a series of educational events for the public to be held at The War Memorial.

“They said The War Memorial was not putting any events on and they wanted to have more events to educate people,” Norris recalled. “I brought mental health to the board. Back then, no one spoke of these problems and some members were afraid of this discussion. I said let’s try it. We went ahead anyway and thought maybe 20 people would show up.”

To her amazement, hundreds arrived.

“It was overwhelming, the ballroom was packed and we couldn’t believe it,” Norris said.

Some of the topics discussed at the mental health event were schizophrenia, dementia, Alzheimer's, and bipolar disorder.

Jump ahead a few decades at The War Memorial and you’ll find an in-house partner that offers mental health resources on a regular basis - The Family Center of Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods.

“We were so surprised and learned so much,” she said. “Mental health was getting started at that point and it was with the Michigan Alliance for Mental Health.”

She said the committee operated for about eight years, from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s.

“We met once a month and worked on what we thought the community could use,” Norris said.

Growing up, Norris attended events at The War Memorial and comes from a long line of Grosse Pointers in her family.

“When I was younger, we loved coming there and had all heard of the Alger’s,” she said. “I adored the gardens. My grandmother had beautiful gardens on Three Mile Drive, so I always have liked The War Memorial gardens.”

Additionally, Norris has been involved with the Duplicate Bridge Club for over 30 years. The group meets weekly at The War Memorial.

“I play bridge to this day and it’s a wonderful game that has taken me many places I never thought I would go,” she said. “To become a Life Master, you have to travel and go to tournaments.”

Norris’ story is just another example of the value of community relationships that have been in place at The War Memorial for decades and the importance of collaboration to achieve more.

Join us at The War Memorial on April 25  for our next Veteran Seminar on Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention, as we continue to prioritize mental health and wellness as part of our mission to enrich and support the community we serve.

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization. Do you have a special War Memorial story or memory? Join us in telling #myWMstory and share yours!

Birth of The War Memorial

The War Memorial officially turned 75 yesterday! In celebration of this momentous occasion, we are telling the story of how The War Memorial came about.

On October 14, 1942, The Alger’s went through the horror many other American families also experienced, including many in Grosse Pointe, when 2nd Lt. Henry F. Chaney, Jr. was killed in Guadalcanal, after arriving just three short weeks prior. Chaney was the only person born in the Alger house, and was Josephine Alger Chaney’s first child. His body was not located and returned home until March of 1948. Nobody knew it at the time, but this event, occurring half a world away, would be integral in the formation of The War Memorial.

When WWII officially ended on September 2, 1945 with Japan’s surrender, the remaining troops began their return back home. Grosse Pointe alone welcomed back 3,500 veterans - and faced the terrible realization we had lost 126 residents. Sentiment was running very high for some sort of tribute or memorial to be erected honoring our heroic service personnel.

Then came October 16, 1945. The Grosse Pointe Honor Roll Association authorized various community groups to gather and discuss the idea of a permanent memorial. With an enormous response of approximately 85 organizations, the group convened on November 30, 1945 at Grosse Pointe High School to form a committee to examine the idea further, becoming the Permanent War Memorial Study Group of Grosse Pointe. They decided to hold a contest to garner the public’s genuine interest in a War Memorial, and glean some concrete ideas as to what the memorial should be, how it should function and be maintained, etc. The Honor Roll Association provided three $100 Victory Bonds that were to be used as prizes given to the Veteran, Student, and Resident category winners.

The July 15 contest deadline was to determine best answers to these questions:

1. Is or is not a Grosse Pointe Permanent War Memorial desirable?

2. What would it probably cost to build your suggested Memorial?

3. After it has been built, what is your plan to maintain it and the maintenance cost?

4. How practical is your plan and how can it be made to work?

5. How fitting and appropriate will your plan be for honoring our veterans and would it be a credit to our community?

6. How well written, readable, and presentable is your plan?

October 1946, the winners – presumably representing a cross-section of the Grosse Pointe public’s views – were announced and their essays printed in the Grosse Pointe News. All three had advocated for a veterans’ memorial as a library. The winner from the Veterans category, Samuel P. Shepard, eloquently wrote: “As a veteran, I personally feel that a memorial of the sort which would prove to the coming generations that the ideals of being able to write and say what you thought were important enough to fight for and is the best tribute a community could pay to those who made the supreme sacrifice, and a Memorial Library, open to all, and available to all, the opportunity to read and study what one wishes is the most satisfactory and complete solution to the problem of a memorial to our service man and service women.”

By January of 1948, fundraising was underway for a Grosse Pointe War Memorial Library, with a yet to be determined location. On a converging front, after years of threats, the mayor of Detroit was finally able to close the popular Alger House Museum (which had been being used as an annex of the DIA), by withholding operating funds from the Detroit Institute of Arts budget. Upon the DIA’s exit on June 30,1948, the beautiful Alger estate reverted to Marion Alger. She had moved out in 1930 after Russell’s death and lived in a house on Provencal.

While Marion waited for the “right fit” for her former home, her nephew, Alger Shelden, suggested she donate the estate to the “memorial library” effort. Alger was an authority on the topic since he had headed the Grosse Pointe Honor Roll Society, Grosse Pointe War Memorial Fund, a member of the board of directors for the Grosse Pointe Council of Veterans Affairs, sponsored the War Memorial Contest, and had raised, or contributed himself, most of the money toward the Memorial. Marion agreed that a memorial library would be a good community use of her lovely home and gardens.

The Alger’s offered their estate, free and clear, to be used as a war memorial library on November 16, 1948. Just 4 days later, on November 20, their attorney was notified the deed offer was rejected. The offer was formally withdrawn by Marion the first week of December, shortly before she left on vacation. The Algers, Alger Shelden, the various groups working for a memorial, and many Grosse Pointers were crushed. The new library issue, for the time being, faded.

While Marion spent the winter away, Shelden and his group pressed on with fundraising, eliminating the “library” portion from the equation and feeling re-invigorated. They were now looking foremost at a War Memorial which also had other appropriate educational, patriotic, and cultural events that would benefit the community – Marion’s exact desire. Once she returned from warmer climates in early March, a confident Shelden sent to her their updated fundraising numbers along with the community and veterans components built into their War Memorial plan. As expected, the family was very enthusiastic and agreed to it immediately.

On March 18, 1949, the Alger estate was deeded over to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association. Grosse Pointers, and especially veterans, finally had their War Memorial and a place where the community could gather in a beautiful, serene setting. The next step was to get the memorial portion up and running.

The new Board of Directors had its first meeting, held at the Neighborhood Club on May 3, 1949. The Executive Committee was comprised of the first six officers of the Association: Alger Shelden (president); John L. Kenower (vice president); Paul I. Moreland (treasurer); Richard Huegli (assistant treasurer); Mrs. Herbert Goebel (secretary); and Remington Purdy (assistant secretary). A 35-member Senior Advisory Council was also created, along with a Junior Advisory Council to represent the younger set’s ideas for the Memorial’s programming and use.

Furthermore, it was determined at this first meeting to temporarily relocate the Honor Roll kiosk from its grassy location at Fisher and Kercheval to the lakefront in time for their first Memorial Day service. The intention was to eliminate the kiosk altogether and “bring the names of the veterans into the building for permanent display in gold and bronze.”

At the July 13,1949 meeting, a motion passed to give WWII veterans their own room in the house to be known as the Veterans Room. As expected, a veterans’ committee selected Russell Alger’s former Billiard Room as their desired space. It was envisioned as a place where veterans could meet “for companionship and for discussion of matters of common interest.” It was also seen as a “repository of war memorabilia and relics and manuscripts relating to the war, and to the individual part played in it, by Grosse Pointe veterans.”

As the years passed, Alger Shelden stayed as the head of the organization for many years. Without his influence, and continual prodding, there would be no War Memorial. Marion stayed active with the organization until her death in 1962. She was always involved with things behind the scenes, particularly anything to do with her beloved gardens or furnishings. She continued to finance most of the plantings, relandscaping, and upkeep of the gardens, and donated financially (via blue chip stocks) throughout her life. Likewise, her daughters Josephine and Fay also quietly donated stock. Additionally, upon Marion’s death, the daughters donated both her house furnishings and elements of her personal garden to The War Memorial.

You too can contribute to the legacy and longevity of The War Memorial by visiting our Support page.

Former Grosse Pointe resident grateful for War Memorial’s recognition of Vietnam veterans

With National Vietnam War Veterans Day approaching on March 29, we thought it would be fitting to share the story of a Vietnam War veteran with connections to The War Memorial. 

John Lauve grew up in Grosse Pointe Woods and attended schools like Grosse Pointe University School in the 1950s, Vernier School in Grosse Pointe Shores, and Parcells Middle School in Grosse Pointe Woods. Lauve, 82, resided in the Grosse Pointes for over 30 years and currently lives in Holly.

Lauve served in the Army 1st Infantry Division as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. He was part of the 2nd Brigade, assigned to the aviation unit.  

From May 1967 to June 1968, 1st Lt. Lauve was stationed in Vietnam, operating as a helicopter pilot, flying the Bell H-13 Sioux. He received his flight training at Fort Rucker in Alabama and Fort Wolters in Texas. One of Lauve’s classmates in flight school, Fred E. Ferguson, received the Medal of Honor for actions taken in January 1968.    

“With Huey’s you would pick people up and drop them into landing zones,” Lauve said. “I was the pilot. There was no co-pilot, and I would work with different brigades in their operations. I was the aviation unit for the infantry.” 

In Vietnam, Lauve primarily operated north of Saigon. His unit's area of operations was from the outskirts of Saigon to the Cambodian border. Lauve was there for the Tet Offensive, a major escalation of the war which began in January 1968. 

“You’d fly up the artillery people who were directing fire and scouts, giving them direct service to the battalions in the brigade,” he said.  

In just over one year, Lauve logged 1,283 flight hours in the Vietnam War. He was discharged as a captain in 1969. 

“The idea of being there was that the bad guys (Viet Cong) were trying to use force to take it from the other guys and they were more effective in the operation,” Lauve said. “That’s why the guys in North Vietnam took it over when we left town.” 

Lauve’s involvement at The War Memorial includes attending several Veterans Day Breakfasts, and having his name engraved on the bronze Vietnam War Honor Roll Plaque at The War Memorial.

The bronze plaque for Vietnam veterans was dedicated at The War Memorial on Memorial Day in 1989. The plaque is positioned on a wall on the main floor of the Alger House, outside of the Reception Room. Over 400 names are on the Vietnam War plaque. Currently, we are in the process of developing a Grosse Pointe Veterans Honor Roll Application form for additional names to be included on The War Memorial’s online Honor Rolls.

“I made sure that my neighbor, William Toth who was killed in Vietnam had his name on that plaque,” Lauve said. “It was nice they made an effort to recognize those people that were sucked into that mess.” 

Army Pfc. Toth was killed in action on Oct. 27, 1964 at the age of 22. 

Reflecting on The War Memorial, Lauve said “They added a lot at The War Memorial over the years. Originally it was just the Alger House. Back then there was a lot of mansions on Lake Shore too.”  

Lauve believes The War Memorial is an organization that is doing its part to honor America’s finest - our veterans.  

Since the inception of The War Memorial’s Veterans Committee in the fall, our organization is looking to increase programs and initiatives for veterans. Upcoming veteran-related events include the Vietnam Veterans Day Luncheon on March 28, and a seminar about Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention on April 25.

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization. 

Interested in sharing your War Memorial story? Visit our 75th anniversary page on our website to share your personal experiences with us, or email Communications and Marketing Manager Alex Szwarc.   

The War Memorial: A ‘House’ hold name

For JD and Barbara House, The War Memorial was the site of their second date.
“In 1992, a very handsome young man from my chemistry class at Wayne State invited me to watch him perform in the musical Annie at the War Memorial,” Barbara said.
That performance marked the first time that she had been to The War Memorial. The two had met at Wayne State in the fall of 1991.
This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization.
“One day at school he asked me to play pool with him in the student center and told me he was going to be in ‘Annie’ and wanted to know if I’d like to attend to see him perform,” Barbara explained.
She added that once at The War Memorial, a single seat opened up closer to the front, so her ticket was exchanged for a better seat.
“When the gentleman next to me asked why I came to see Annie, I told him I was invited to watch JD House play Rooster Hannigan in the musical,” Barbara said. “The gentleman said it looked like I was quite enamored with Mr. House, to which I replied it was technically only our second ‘date.’”
JD was part of other Grosse Pointe Theatre productions at The War Memorial like “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Death of a Salesman.”
Aside from JD’s performing days at the local nonprofit, the House’s have seen a few shows at the former theater, one of their sons took an art class here, and another son did some studying on the historic Alger House.
“My oldest son was an Eagle Scout and for one of the merit badges, he had to visit a historical building and study, so we went to The War Memorial as one of the places to check out,” Barbara said.
The House’s live in Harper Woods, bordering Grosse Pointe Woods, and have been married 28 years.
Do you have a special War Memorial story or memory? Join us in telling #myWMstory and share yours!

Former War Memorial employee shares vast experiences of the institution

She’s worked here, attended events here as a kid, and speaks highly about The War Memorial.

Suzy Berschback was employed at The War Memorial as a marketing and development coordinator from 1990-2000. She helped throw The War Memorial’s 50th anniversary gala in 1999 with the theme “Sentimental Journey” and assisted in starting the annual Veterans Day Breakfast.

“When I came here, there wasn’t much historical information about the organization,” she said. “I wanted to tell a story about who gave this, where The War Memorial came from, and what the legacy for the community is.”

Berschback, who grew up in Grosse Pointe City, is a 1981 graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School. Her mother, Marilyn Smith King, and grandmother also grew up in the Grosse Pointes. As a child, she would refer to the nonprofit institution as “The Warm Memorial.”

“As a kid, you didn’t associate it with war,” she said. “We came here for all kinds of things- weddings, funerals, baby showers and events.”

Speaking about establishing the Veterans Day Breakfast, Berschback said it was an effort to be more of a war memorial.

“We wanted to bring in more veterans and call attention to that,” she said.

While working here, Berschback would write to members of the Alger family who lived in places like Texas, Colorado and Massachusetts, as she conducted research.

“They would send me photographs,” she said. “The family members were generous with their stories and photos.”

Berschback also remembers participating with the Grosse Pointe Garden Center to create a children’s garden that formerly was located behind the former Fries Auditorium.

A project she loved working on was a one-time event at The War Memorial, the Great Gatsby Gala which was held in the summer.

“We had a group here called the Friends of The War Memorial and wanted to bring in younger people,” Berschback said. “I think it was the best party I had ever been to. People could look everywhere through The War Memorial to try to bring you back to the 1920s. We had cars from the 1920s and 1920s decor. Everyone was dressed authentically. We had people dressed as Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers, and Mr. and Mrs. Alger who greeted you as you entered each room.”

Berschback, whose husband Chip served on the War Memorial Board of Directors in the 1990s, also co-authored the Images of America book “Grosse Pointe War Memorial” with Ann Marie Aliotta in 2010.

“That was our third book, the first two were about Grosse Pointe,” she said. “It includes the stories I grew up hearing from my family. I realized people didn’t know those stories anymore. When I started at the Grosse Pointe Historical Society, it was important for me to share those stories more.”

Interested in sharing your War Memorial story? Visit our 75th anniversary page on our website to share your personal experiences with us, or email Communications and Marketing Manager Alex Szwarc at aszwarc@warmemorial.org.

War Memorial serves as special place for several generations of local family

From generation to generation in the Kish family, The War Memorial has been a special place.

Amy Kish’s parents, Jack and Audrey Leverenz, met at a War Memorial dance in March 1955, were engaged six months later and married in January 1956.

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization.

“It’s kind of a funny story,” Amy said. “My mom was a nurse and lived with other nurses in Detroit. They decided they were going to go to a singles dance. They got there and there was a group of boys they were chatting with. One of the boys happened to be my dad and he asked one of my mom’s friends to dance.”

As Audrey tells the story of how she and Jack met, she pushed the girl to the side, so she could dance with him.

“And he said ‘sure, I’d love to dance,’” Amy said. “So, they danced. The girls came to the dance on a bus, so they were worried that the boys would see them leave on a bus, so they snuck out of the dance early and my dad came running out, asking my mom what her phone number was.”

After sharing her number and thinking that Jack wouldn’t remember it, sure enough, he called her the following day.

Jack Leverenz, who graduated from Grosse Pointe High School, passed away in 1999 at age 70. Audrey is now 92 and splits her time between Grosse Pointe Park and Florida.

Growing up, Amy remembers coming to The War Memorial, along with her siblings John, Suzy, and Sally, to paint eggs around Easter time. In middle school and high school, they attended several dances at The War Memorial, as well as Battle of the Bands.

“The War Memorial has always been a staple in the community,” Amy said. “It’s a formal and nice place. We were always appreciative of getting to go there. Any dances that were there were a special occasion. It was a special place in the family.”

In March 1991, Amy and her husband Ken had their rehearsal dinner in the Alger House.

“My in-laws and their family were from Pittsburgh, so everyone from that side of the family was in awe of it,” she said about having the dinner at The War Memorial. “When you grow up with it, you kind of take things for granted in Grosse Pointe.”

The Kish’s children — Robby, Richie, and Katie — also grew up attending special events at The War Memorial.

“My daughter has two young children, so I’m excited now to start the fourth generation of going to programs there with our grandkids,” Amy said.

Interested in sharing your War Memorial story? Visit our 75th anniversary page on our website to share your personal experiences with us, or email Communications and Marketing Manager Alex Szwarc.

Grosse Pointe Park family shares in their appreciation for The War Memorial

For Renee Jakubowski, having her wedding reception at The War Memorial gave her a greater connection with the local nonprofit celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

Renee and Matthew Jakubowski were married at the Grosse Pointe Academy Chapel on Oct. 20, 2001, weeks after the 9/11 terror attacks. Their reception followed at The War Memorial.

“I liked the space and I knew I wanted to live here once we got married,” Renee Jakubowski said in response to why she wanted to have their wedding reception at The War Memorial. “I think it is a great space on the water.”

Renee Jakubowski, whose maiden name is Ballard, met her husband when they were attending law school at Wayne State University. About 225 people attended the wedding reception, where filet and salmon were on the menu.

“The proximity to the wedding site, the location on the water and the history of the Alger House appealed to us,” she said. “It was fall and I got lucky that it was a warm day. It was nice and sunny, but I hadn’t thought of the fact that it gets dark around 6:30. I was thinking we would have the view of the water, but it was dark by then. My husband and I both went to Michigan, so we played the fight song every now and then.”

The Jakubowski’s, of Grosse Pointe Park, have three children – Zach, Matt and Avery. Over the years, the kids took part in theater activities when the Grosse Pointe Theatre called the Fries Auditorium their home.

“They did Youth on Stage. It was an exciting time for our kids being in the performances,” Renee Jakubowski said. “We also did Easter brunches at The War Memorial and Breakfast With Santa.”

The Jakubowski children also took driver training classes at The War Memorial.

Reflecting on how The War Memorial has enriched her life, Renee Jakubowski said she always wanted her sons to have a healthy appreciation of the sacrifice of veterans.

“We wanted to stay close to The War Memorial because of that,” she said.

Check back next month for more War Memorial memories from the community as we commemorate our 75th anniversary, sharing stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at The War Memorial.

Couple reflects on War Memorial wedding for anniversary

This year, as part of our 75th anniversary, The War Memorial will share stories from the public about the impact and experiences they have had at the nonprofit organization. To start off the year, we highlight the story of Chris and Libby McDonald.

A memorable moment from their wedding reception was when veterans and active-duty military members, about a dozen, gathered for a photo.

“We had a photograph done with all guests in attendance who had served or in active duty,” Libby McDonald said. “It was a good group of people, ranging from their 20s to 80s.”

On Jan. 6, 2018, the McDonald’s wedding reception was at The War Memorial. They got married at Christ Church Grosse Pointe. In fact, it was also at The War Memorial in 1983 when Libby’s parents, Jeff and Sally Stallings, were married.

“Part of it was because my parents had their reception there and it felt special,” Libby McDonald, now 28, said. “It also has a cool military connection.”

Elaborating on what appealed to them about The War Memorial, Chris McDonald said “It had more than just curbside appeal. We were able to be part of a relatively small group of people that The War Memorial affords the opportunity to do that with.”

The War Memorial’s wedding policy requirement is that all patrons have a family member - living or deceased - who has served, or is currently serving, in the armed forces.

“Having just been through my initial officer training, it was cool to feel appreciation from a local community,” Chris McDonald said. “If I was not a military member then we would have not qualified to have a reception there.”

About 125 people attended the McDonald’s reception, an event they called a great time in a great venue.

“It was cold, like high of 3 degrees,” Libby McDonald said.

The McDonald’s had a cocktail hour with Hors d'Oeuvres and a receiving line in the Alger House, prior to moving the festivities to the grand ballroom. They recall being pulled aside by the photographer to capture the newlyweds by a fireplace in the Alger House. The main entrée was a blueberry chicken dish, something that Libby makes every year on their anniversary.

“The coordinator was able to get the recipe from the chef for us,” she said.

“Our parents and their peers, and our peers all said it was one of the best weddings they had ever been a part of,” Chris McDonald added.

The McDonald’s currently reside in Savannah, Georgia, but will move to Virginia later this year for Chris McDonald’s Army duties. Chris McDonald, 29, has been in the Army for almost seven years and holds the rank of captain. The McDonald’s have two daughters - Katherine and Margaret.