VetConnect Seminar Series with Michigan Veterans Trust Fund and Great Lakes National Cemetery
Learn more about emergency services, and burial and cemetery benefits offered in Michigan
For the next VetConnect Seminar at The War Memorial, join us as we welcome Lindell Holm of Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, and Eric Crawford and Russell Sayles of Great Lakes National Cemetery. The organizations will present on the work their agencies do, all to support veterans.
The free seminar is planned for Thursday, Jan. 22, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund portion of the seminar will focus on one of a kind emergency assistance program available to Michigan veterans, and an overview of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, the central coordinating agency for the state, providing support, care, advocacy, and service to veterans and their families.
Staff from Great Lakes National Cemetery will dive into how the national cemeteries came into being, along with some information about the cemetery and both of its satellite cemetery’s which it oversees; available veteran burial benefits and a few other programs which fall under the National Cemetery administration.
Held bi-monthly, The War Memorial’s VetConnect Seminar Series provides veterans with a welcoming space to learn, connect, and find support. Launched in winter 2024, this free program features speakers from respected veteran organizations and partners. Each seminar offers valuable insights and resources on topics that matter most to veterans, fostering both education and community.
Free and open to all — registration is requested
6pm: Doors Open
6:30pm: Presentation by Lindell Holm of Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, and Russell Sayles of Great Lakes National Cemetery
7:15pm: Question and Answer time with the audience
7:30pm: Program Ends
About Michigan Veterans Trust Fund
In 1946, Michigan Gov. Harry Kelly signed the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) into law with $50 million in post-World War II reserve funds. Since then, the MVTF has approved more than 650,000 emergency grants and distributed more than $130 million to help veterans and their families to get back on their feet financially. Through its Emergency Grant Program, the MVTF assists wartime-era veterans (and certain peacetime veterans) and their surviving spouses that are experiencing unforeseen financial emergencies related to a mortgage or rent payment, emergency home and auto repairs, property taxes and utility bills.
About Great Lakes National Cemetery
Great Lakes National Cemetery is the second national cemetery built in Michigan and the 122nd in the national cemetery system. Located in Holly, the cemetery was established in 2005, and the first burial took place on Oct. 17 of that year. Since its opening, over 70,000 burials have taken place at the cemetery.