Honoring and supporting our community’s newest and youngest service members
Registration for this event is now closed.
Enlistees and recruiters that are interested in attending please contact Alex Szwarc at aszwarc@warmemorial.org for information.
Join us as we recognize and celebrate the Class of 2025 high school seniors from the Detroit area who have made the honorable decision to enlist in the United States Armed Forces.
The Detroit-area Our Community Salutes High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at The War Memorial. Please note that the ceremony will be held in the Fred M. Alger Center at The War Memorial.
This special evening is dedicated to these young men and women and their families, acknowledging their commitment to serve our nation. The event provides a meaningful opportunity for the community to express gratitude, offer support, and celebrate their transition into military service.
Event Details
6pm Resource Fair and Reception- Enlistees, family members, military personnel, recruiters, and community supporters are invited to connect with military organizations, veteran groups, and service-related resources.
7pm Recognition Ceremony- A formal program featuring distinguished speakers, the Oath of Enlistment, and a tribute to our future service members.
We invite the public to attend and show their support for these young men and women as they embark on their journey of military service. Let’s come together to honor their courage, commitment, and dedication to serving our country.
Our 2025 Featured Speaker- This year’s featured speaker is Army Brig. Gen. Ravindra V. Wagh. To learn more about Wagh, please check out his biography at the bottom of the page.
Registration
Registration for this event is now closed. Enlistees and recruiters that are interested in attending please contact Alex Szwarc at aszwarc@warmemorial.org for information.
About Our Community Salutes
Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national, non-profit organization helping communities recognize, honor and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation.
OCS was founded in 2009 by educator and former U.S. Army officer, Dr. Kenneth Hartman, to provide enlistees and their parents with guidance, information, resources and community support from like-minded enlistees and parents as their son or daughter transition into military service.
Our Community Salutes includes community leaders, government officials, educators, businessmen, and veterans who feel strongly in the importance of community support and recognition of the patriotic young adults who will enlist in the military after graduation.
Our Community Salutes was founded in 2009 with our inaugural OCS of South Jersey community.
OCS is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a GuideStar Bronze Seal of Transparency.
About Brig. Gen. Ravindra V. Wagh
Brig. Gen. Wagh currently serves as the Assistant to the Adjutant General-Army for the Michigan National Guard. He has also been selected to serve in a dual-hat capacity as the Special Assistant to the Vice Chief, National Guard Bureau for Pacific Initiatives.
Recent assignments include Chief of the Joint Staff (Michigan National Guard) and Commander, 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade. He also served as the G3 of the Michigan Army National Guard, which included service during the recent 2+ year domestic/pandemic response efforts. He received his Commission as an Infantry Officer from Slippery Rock University, PA in 1994. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Captain’s Career Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, U.S. Army Airborne, Ranger, Jumpmaster, and Air Assault Schools, Bradley Leader’s Course, The Joint Staff Course, Joint Firepower Course, Combat Advisor Course, the Command and General Staff College (ILE-AOC), the Pre-Command Course (BN and BDE), the US Army War College Resident Education Program, and the Advanced Strategic Art Program.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal, among others. He has also been awarded the wear of the Expert and Combat Infantryman’s badges, Senior Parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, and the Ranger Tab. BG Wagh’s degrees include a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Most importantly, Wagh is married to the former Jennifer L. Hanik, of Hollsopple, PA. They have three children.