 May 2026
 Join MVH at Grand Rapids and the broader community to place flags at veterans' final resting places; Wed. May 20 at 5:30pm
For years now, community members have convened on the MVH at Grand Rapids cemetery on the Wednesday before Memorial Day to place individual flags at the final resting places of the thousands of veterans interred there. That tradition continues on Wed., May 20, 2026 at 5:30pm.
The cemetery's history dates back to the post-Civil War era, and amongst the thousands of veterans who make it their final resting place, are African American veterans who fought for the Union during the Civil War, a Medal of Honor recipient, and veterans from every era of conflict and peace since the Mexican War of the 1840s.
We hope you can join us at 5:30pm on May 20th for the event's community cookout sponsored by our friends at the UPS Veteran Business Resource Group, followed by the procession and ceremony.
MVHGR Community Volunteers: MVHGR Annual Flag Placement Ceremony
Register NOW for MVH at Chesterfield Twp.'s fifth annual Walk, Run & Roll event on June 6 in SE MI
It's a morning for people of all ages and abilities to come together for camaraderie, exercise, and to celebrate service alongside the veterans who make MVH at Chesterfield Twp. their home. In early and out by lunch - what are you waiting for?
There are options for a 0.5-mile walk/roll and a 5k, and there's a silent auction, and amazing human beings, and you're not going to want to miss walking alongside our nursing home resident veterans for the walk/roll, or seeing runners push our veterans in 'chariots' for the duration of the 5k (thanks to our friends at the Agape Project). And it's all happening on the MVH at Chesterfield Twp. campus.
We hope you can join us. We're changing the lives of veterans, alongside and in partnership with our supportive communities.
Check out photos from last year's event, here.
 Jacobetti team battles through storm to care for veterans; Surprise caller follows up to share gratitude
Back in March, Michigan's Upper Peninsula got slammed with snow. The storm shut down roads, compelled local government leaders to pull plows off the roads for their safety, and impacted more than can be written here. It impacted the Jacobetti and the team there, too. On any given day, 110+ staff cycle through the home caring for veterans. But because of the impassable or closed roads, house doors completely snowed in, and other inhibitors, less than 50 Jacobetti team members cycled through during the 36+ hours of the storm. They worked double shifts. Some snowshoed in to work. Some stayed the night in vacant rooms at the Jake, while others stayed at local colleagues homes who graciously opened their doors and spare bedrooms. And as some staff got relieved from their work, they kept working to prepare meals for the other staff coming on shift. It was an effort in team work to ensure veterans got the care they need, and deserve.
We're proud of the team at Jacobetti for this, surely, but also for the tireless effort every day they pour in to caring our veterans, even when it's not newsworthy. Given this dedication, however, the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and a few of the dedicated storm battlers got a surprise call from Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who merely wanted to thank them for their dedication to ensuring veterans received the care they required, and deserve. We share the Governor's gratitude and appreciation for our amazing team, serving those men and women who've served us.
 Honoring Vietnam vets at MVH at Chesterfield Twp
The majority of the veterans cared for at all MVH sites are Vietnam era veterans. Indeed, every moment of care we provide them is an opportunity try to right the wrongs they encountered decades ago, where they answered their nation's call to service and returned home to a largely ungrateful nation. In late March, MVH at Chesterfield Twp. observed National Vietnam War Veterans Day, and celebrated our Vietnam vets at VFW Post 7573 in New Baltimore.
We're proud of - and grateful for - our Vietnam veterans. May our great nation never forget their sacrifices, and learn from our mistakes in failing to bring them home to the welcome they deserved.
 Looking back at 2025: A year of impact
While we're well into 2026, and 2025 is in the rearview, it's periodically wise to take time to reflect on the past in order to achieve the goals ahead. Indeed, such reflection can spawn intentional focus on those future opportunities. Our 2025 MVH Impact Report is out, and we encourage you to check it out to see the impact we - our team, volunteers, donors, communities, and other supporters - had on the lives of veterans. We're proud of the care we're delivering, while confident the best is yet to come. We're continuing to chase excellence in all aspects for our veterans, and we invite you to join us in that mission. Thank you for your support of our veterans!
 In other veteran news...
Donations to Michigan Veteran Homes are tax-deductible under 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Michigan Veteran Homes are making a difference in the lives of Michigan veterans and their loved ones. Join us.
Want to learn more about participating in the representative democracy our veterans stood to protect? Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
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