An Evening of Red, White & Blue
Celebrating America's 250th and Investing in the Future
Thank you to everyone who joined us for An Evening of Red, White & Blue, The War Memorial's 2026 gala celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
Together, supporters, sponsors, volunteers, and friends gathered for an evening that honored our shared history while investing in the generations yet to come. Through your generosity, nearly $200,000 was raised to support The War Memorial's mission to honor those who served, enrich our community, and deliver exceptional experiences.
Because of you, this historic place will continue to preserve stories, foster connections, and serve as a gathering place for our community for years to come.
Thank you for helping write the next chapter.
A Celebration Rooted in Story
From the moment guests arrived at the historic Alger House, the evening invited them on a journey through America's story.
Historical touches appeared throughout the celebration, creating moments of discovery and reflection that connected guests with the people, events, and ideals that have shaped our nation over the past 250 years. Long tables in the Ballroom featured imagery inspired by defining moments in our history, while table numbers marked significant years and movements from 1620 to America's 250th anniversary. A menu inspired by regions across the country and curated displays of American art added layers of storytelling that celebrated the richness and diversity of the American experience.
More than a gala, the evening served as a reminder that America's story is not a finished masterpiece, but an ongoing promise — one entrusted to each generation and strengthened by communities like ours.
A Night Brought to Life
Throughout the evening, moments of music, laughter, and surprise brought the celebration to life.
Guests were welcomed by the sounds of Gary Greenfelder during cocktail hour and again for the dessert afterglow in the Library. The 1st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps led attendees into the Ballroom with stirring patriotic tunes, while The Shelby Five offered beautiful renditions of America the Beautiful and The Star-Spangled Banner. A whimsical photo booth complete with powdered wigs invited guests to embrace the spirit of the occasion, and members of The War Memorial team surprised guests with a Hamilton-inspired toast that captured the joy and gratitude of the evening.
Together, these moments created an experience that was both meaningful and memorable — a celebration of history, community, and the enduring ideals that continue to unite us.
"What Is Legacy? It's Planting Seeds in a Garden You Never Get to See." — Hamilton, the musical
As President and CEO Maria Miller shared during her remarks, America's story has always been one of…
“....people continuing to strive toward the ideals we claim: liberty, equality, opportunity, democracy. Always reaching. Always becoming. And that, in many ways, is the work of The War Memorial. All of us together are helping tell America’s story — our story — not as a finished masterpiece, but as an unfinished promise. A promise that each generation has the responsibility to leave this world, this country, and this community a little stronger, a little kinder, and a little more united than they found it.”
Like our nation itself, the work of The War Memorial is never finished. Each generation inherits the responsibility to leave this world, this country, and this community a little stronger, a little kinder, and a little more united than they found it.
That work continues because of people like you.
Relive the Evening
One Purpose. One Story .
Paddle Raise Video
Table Top Images
The Sponsors Who Made it All Possible
Honorary Hosts
Fred & Veronica Alger
Co-Presenting Sponsors
Jeffrey Smith & Lisa Vallee-Smith and Ron & Mary Lamparter
Platinum Sponsors
Alicia & Jon Taub | Verizon | Corewell Health | Display Group
Gold Sponsor
Grosse Pointe Garden Center
Silver Sponsors
Warner Norcross + Judd | Landmark Financial Planning | Northern Trust | Aaron & Luisa Turk | Activate Detroit | Michele & Dennis LaPorte | Henry Ford Health
Bronze Sponsors
Donna Hoban, MD | Maria Miller | Michael Ugval | Val and Pat Moran | Susie and Rick Lueders | Jennifer and Reed Bingaman | Stephanie and Tim Nicholson |
Jessica and Bradley Gregory | Dr. Jodie Rappe and Dr. Brian Dimmer | Julie Henry-Kelly, MD | Marie Boyle Reinman | Andrea Dickson | Boyd Investment Services | Amy Pfaehler & Bradley Miller| Darrene Baer | McGlinch and Sons | RW Mead
Underwriters
Smith Family Foundation | Rick Swaine | Jim and Ann Nicholson | Hoover Electric | Louisa St. Clair - NSDAR | Amy and Patrick Chesterton | Scottie and Gar Knight |
Laura and Charles Huebner | Changing Perspectives Counseling
This evening wouldn’t have been possible without an amazing team of vendors and generous in-kind event donors.
Inkind
Crispelli’s | Sohn Linens | Grigg Graphic Services | Boelter
Vendor Team
Event Planning & Design
Festoons & Flourishes
Entertainment
Gary Greenfelder
1st Michigan Colonial Fife & Drums
Shelby 5
Event Decor, Rentals & AV
Belaa Black Tie Events
Detroit Vinyl Wraps
Display Group
Event Source
Event Theory
Events and Beyond
Studio Terrain
Media
Eightfold TV
Inner Circle Photography
Blaine Siesser Photography
TenThirty Films
Sprouts Content