For 37 years, an observance of Memorial Day at the Pine Lake Cemetery in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, has been led by area clergy, public officials, the West Bloomfield Police Department, local Scout troops, gifted musicians, and others to honor and remember the lives of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation.
After much thought and in response to government-issued guidelines, it has been determined that there will not be an in-person gathering at the Pine Lake Cemetery on Memorial Day in 2020. However, there will be an online event taking place at the same time, Monday, May 25, 2020, at 10:00 am via Zoom technology.
The link to join the Memorial Day Service webinar is the following:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81192638280
Alternatively, to access without video but only by phone audio, one may call 1-301-715-8592 and enter the Webinar ID when prompted: 811 9263 8280. For more information or to get a link sent to an email account, one may email drcapacker@gmail.com and put "Memorial Day 2020 Link" in the subject line. The event is free of charge.

The planners are pleased this year to have Jenny Lynn Stewart, internationally-acclaimed operatic soprano from New York City, not only sing the national anthem, but provide a keynote address that will bring inspiration and encouragement in the midst of troubled times. Stewart will draw from both her personal and family's experiences, as both of her parents served in World War II and she has witnessed first-hand the struggles of a city greatly afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. She will speak about the similar ways in which the country is being asked to pull together and make sacrifices for the common good now in facing the pandemic as when it did during World War II.
Jenny Lynn Stewart has held title roles in Aida and Tosca, portrayed Nettie Fowler in Carousel, and was the Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, opposite Marie Osmond. In recent years, Stewart has performed often her one-woman show, "Give a Little Bit More: Richard Rodgers Revisited." She earned degrees in television and radio from Michigan State University and voice performance from the University of Michigan. Stewart further studied in Europe, including in Austria and Italy. She was raised in Downriver Michigan and still has family in the area.
West Bloomfield Township Supervisor Steven Kaplan will speak, as well, and area clergy and members of religious communities will offer readings and prayers. Girl Scout Troop 43681 out of Waterford, Michigan, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Peter Cooper will play "Taps," as he had done for a number of years for the service.
This annual occasion was begun in 1983 by Ledge Tomlinson and Pastor Jack Freed, and local ministers from Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Pine Hill Congregational Church, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, and the West Bloomfield United Methodist Church traditionally took part. It has been a great support to have Temple Israel participate for a number of years, as well. The Pine Lake Cemetery prepares the grounds for the service and individual flags have been placed at the graves of veterans who are buried there. The West Bloomfield Township Police and Fire Departments have given much time and assisted with the service, often through their Honor Guards, as have other public officials, Boy and Girl Scout troops, and the Pine Lake Cemetery Association.
Subscribe