Written by Tanya Terry, with photos courtesy of the 6th Annual Veterans of Now (VON) Motorcade Committee
Featured photo: The Annual Veterans of Now (VON) Motorcade ceremony has been held both inside and outside of Berston Fieldhouse.
On November 7, the 6th Annual Veterans of Now (VON) Motorcade is expected to draw 250 riders who wil travel from Flint to the Michigan Heroes Museum, in Frankenmuth! The incredible event, also recognizing America’s 250th anniversary, will also include a Resource Expo intended to uplift and empower area veterans.
George F Grundy, II, founder and CEO of Veterans Of Now (VON), stated: “So the importance of coming together is to show solidarity and understanding that service means something. And that we’re not a silo, that we are a collective and that we do have unity of sorts.”
In addition to veterans, their families, businesses, resource providers and the community as a whole have been invited to celebrate and show honor ahead of Veterans Day.
“It’s for showing that we matter while we’re here, and that even if nobody else does it, we’ll put on our own parade for ourselves and honor ourselves,” stated Grundy.
“And then at the end of it, we’re giving respect to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice by going to the museum and honoring them also,” Grundy added.
Lineup for the parade begins at 9 a.m., and the parade leaves Flint City Hall to head for Berston Field House at 10 a.m. The expo opens at 11 a.m., with vendor teardown at 2:30 p.m. After a ceremony at the field house, attendees will be able to leave around noon to head to the museum.
Grundy served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the war in Afghanistan. He reflected on returning home and how that inspired both the VON organization and the upcoming events.
“I didn’t have a understanding on the issues that I was going to be going through and that I was actively going through, mental health issues and physical issues. I thought I was going to be able to get out here and use whatever I learned in the military and make it work for me in the civilian world. And that wasn’t the case. And so it became very dark, very quick and my family-even though they care and they loved and they showed support, they didn’t have the capacity of what I was dealing with at the time because it was all new to all of us.”
Grundy lived in his Chevy Equinox for six months to a year. He said he went to the VA and the different organizations that were known for helping.
“It was like, if I wasn’t on drugs, or an alcoholic or had something extreme to where they could see it and feel it, then they didn’t have any help me – because I’ve never drank in my life. I’ve never done any heavy drugs in my life. And so that was a problem. It’s like: ‘Hey, we can’t see your issues or your problems. You’re just gonna have to deal with it. You’re not homeless because you have a car.’…I didn’t fit the requirements for their assistance and help.”
Grundy continued submitting documents for his disability claim. He also mentioned a young lady named Ciat Shabazz, the founder and executive director an organization called Harry Veterams Community Outreach Service, in North Carolina. Shabazz took Grundy under her wing and provided mental support.
“I can say that it has some impact…But. like coming back to Flint and me still needing to have something that makes sense for who I am as a veteran, and seeing that there was nothing consistent with that- I saw different bridges that need to be built. That was the biggest piece for me.”
Delores Johnson started the Veterans Motorcade in 2007. Both her parents were part of the first veterans organization in Flint started by Black World War II soldiers in 1959: the American Legion Dorie Miller Post 306. Johnson is still part of the auxiliary for the post, which also started in 1959.
Johnson shared that originally, the motorcade started at Flint City Hall and ended with a ceremony at what is now Hasselbring Senior Center, when it was on Home Avenue.
Over the years of transitioning management of the event to VON, she shared with Grundy and members of VON that her father was honored in the Heroes Museum. This inspired the addition of the ride to the museum to the event six years ago.
“We really need to show up for our military veterans, and this is one way to do it,” stated Johnson.
Johnson added that those who are unable to ride in the motorcade can still show their support along Saginaw Street during the parade.
To get more information about VON, or register to participate in the events and/or be a vendor for the Resource Expo visit VeteransofNow.org.
