The War Memorial calls on community to help honor fallen heroes of Grosse Pointe with new book project
GROSSE POINTE FARMS June 30, 2025 – The War Memorial is calling on the greater Grosse Pointe community to help honor more than 170 local service members who gave their lives in military service. Through a new book project, families, neighbors and friends are invited to share photos, memories and stories to help preserve the legacies of these fallen heroes for generations to come.
Just weeks after Memorial Day—when hundreds gathered at The War Memorial to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice—the organization is once again turning to the community to help pay tribute to those who gave their lives in military service to the United States.
The project is being led by Lisa Lark, an award-winning author and researcher who has worked closely with Gold Star families across the country to share the personal stories behind military service. She is now partnering with The War Memorial to bring those same storytelling values to the Grosse Pointe community.
“Lisa’s passion for this work was evident from the moment I met her. She treats each fallen service member’s life as sacred, carefully gathering the stories and materials that honor their memory,” said War Memorial President & CEO Maria Miller. “Her past books demonstrate the deep care and respect she brings to this work—our Grosse Pointe loved ones are truly in capable, trusted hands.”
Lark, in collaboration with The War Memorial’s Historical Education Coordinator Betsy Alexander, is requesting the community’s help to bring this personalized tribute to life—honoring more than 170 individuals from the Grosse Pointe communities who died in military service from the Civil War to the present. Beginning this summer, Lisa and her team will begin reviewing submitted materials, photos, and stories to shape what will become a lasting tribute in print.
“It is important to remember those from the Grosse Pointes who gave their lives in service to our country as individuals, rather than simply names carved into cenotaphs,” said Lark. “This is a chance for all of us to learn more about who they were.”
Lark is the author of three books that tell the stories of the men and women who have given their lives in service to the country. Her first book, “All They Left Behind: Legacies of the Men and Women on The Wall” was published in 2012 in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam Veterans Memorial and is included in
the Library of Congress catalog. She is also the author of “There and Back: The Vietnam War Through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It” and “Gone Too Soon: Dearborn Remembers Its Fallen Heroes.”
Those interested in participating in the project should email heroesproject@warmemorial.org and include information such as the name of the individual from the Grosse Pointes who died while serving, their branch of service and rank, and which city they were from. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Aug. 1.
To learn more about the project, click here.
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, is an experiential space open to everyone. For over 75 years, this nonprofit organization has served as a patriotic, cultural, and community center, offering a wide range of innovative programs for all ages. Annually, The War Memorial welcomes thousands of guests for community events, educational programming, and private gatherings in its unique and historic setting.
At its core, The War Memorial celebrates the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended these ideals with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. As a dynamic and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan, The War Memorial remains committed to inspiring and enriching the community through unparalleled experiences. This includes a steadfast commitment to patriotic programming that honors the legacy of service members and amplifies the voices of veterans through storytelling, education, and public engagement.
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CONTACT:
Alex Szwarc, The War Memorial
Patriotic Programming and Communications Administrator
313.881.7514, aszwarc@warmemorial.org