School employees volunteer to serve the troops at sendoff at Lapeer East

As part of a community send off for the Michigan National Guard Unit in Lapeer, four Lapeer Community Schools’ bus drivers have volunteered their time to transport the soldiers from the armory to the ceremony at Lapeer East High School on Monday, April 6th.

Four drivers, Cindy Mullin, Fred Anstette, Basil King and Donnal Teasley, one more than needed to drive the soldiers over to the school and back volunteered their time to be part of the event.

Gayle Early, a food service employee, also donated her time to help serve a private dinner at the school.

Lapeer East dean of students John Gonzales, a Vietnam veteran, is donating his time to oversee the event.

“The three buses we are planning on using will be cleaned up and decorated with the flags we have been using on our parade buses,” said Jerry Podzikowski, director of transportation. “ The drivers who will be driving the troops on Monday, April 6, between the Armory and East have volunteered their time for this event. They are happy to do their part.”

There will be a private dinner for the soldiers and their families at Lapeer East from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the public is invited for the 7 p.m. public ceremony.

Students, volunteers honor local military unit

In preparation for the departure to Afghanistan of a local Michigan National Guard unit, students participating in Kid's Street, an after school program at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lapeer, prepared some unique table decorations.

The decorations will be used at a community send-off on Monday evening, April 6, 2009 at Lapeer East High School.

Students from Schickler, Maple Grove and Mayfield Elementary Schools, along with high school volunteers from Lapeer East and Lapeer West and Schickler teacher Mrs. Beth Shemanski made the soldier figurines from tin foil and camouflage cloth.

Retired elementary school teacher Mrs. Phyllis Lange, who volunteers at the Kid's Street Program said the students enjoyed making the decorations to honor the local men and women who will be going off to Afghanistan.

The project was particularly meaningful to Mrs. Lange, who lost her father when he was killed fighting during the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Lange taught at Irwin Elementary School for 35 years, after teaching five years in Imlay City. She retired in 2005.

To see the students and their hand made creations go to this photo album.