TRAVERSE CITY -- Reservations tripled over the last week for a statewide reunion of World War II veterans titled the Last Lasting Tribute.
About 300 World War II veterans from every branch of service will gather today and Sunday at Acme's Grand Traverse Resort & Spa to share experiences and reflect on the war that shaped their lives and world history.
"It's not like being with their own units ... this is putting all of the different branches together," said Del Corner, veteran and organizer for the first-of-its-kind gathering. "I think there are people coming all the way from Escanaba" and Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula.
Corner solicited donations to fund the gathering this spring and said a recent surge in contributions will help make the Last Lasting Tribute a success. More than $10,000 was raised over the last week alone, he said.
Registration for the two-day event starts today at 5 p.m., followed by opening ceremonies with Traverse City's U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard. Mike Hunter's Greatest Big Band Era Music will entertain veterans before and after dinner, which will be served shortly after opening ceremonies.
Happy Tapper, a local tap dance troupe, and a singing group will round out the evening.
Participants are invited to browse military war-time newspapers and visit during a Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Author Doug Stanton will speak after brunch on his book, "In Harm's Way," which details the Japanese attack on the USS Indianapolis in 1945 and the struggles of those who survived.
The speaker, military newspapers and other displays -- including a poster board of pictures recently recovered from a soldier's camera during the attack on Pearl Harbor -- are among attractions Corner hopes will spur discussions and give veterans some perspective on their war roles.
"They are going to relive their memories," he said. "They got a lot to find out about each other and they are going to do it."
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