Island Park’s Vietnam Memorial: A community effort to remember Michigan's heroes

The original Vietnam Memorial for the State of Michigan is located within Island Park, on the northside of downtown Mt. Pleasant. Including 16 plaques featuring 2,705 of Michigan's casualties, MIAs, and POWs, a flag gallery, footbridge, and an information booth, the memorial was officially dedicated as a State Memorial on July 15, 1990. 

Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. PleasantThe Michigan Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located within Island Park at 331 North Main Street in Mt. Pleasant.
The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 438 was instrumental in establishing the memorial. 

Back when the Isabella County Fair used to take place in Island Park, they worked with the City to put a temporary bridge across so attendees could connect to Pickens Baseball Park without having to travel around to the entrance, shares Terry Kunst, who is the sitting president of Forgotten Eagles Chapter 3. 

“Originally it was a swamp,” shares Kunst, noting that since then, they’ve replaced it with a permanent structure. “It was all built by volunteer labor and donated private materials and donations.” 

Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. PleasantMemorial monuments and educational plaques are placed throughout the property on the northwest side of Island Park.
The City of Mt. Pleasant, the local Home Depot, and Forgotten Eagles have since worked together to maintain the memorial. 

“It’s a combined effort to make it look as great as we can,” says Kunst. “We’ve been very fortunate and proud to have this gem in Mt. Pleasant—centrally located.”

Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. PleasantThe memorial was rededicated in September of 1994 with the addition of the “War Cry” statue, designed and sculpted by Michigan native Derek Rainey.
Kunst shares that the Forgotten Eagles Chapter 3 helps Michigan veterans with critical needs. Annually they travel to 32 Michigan counties over five days and conduct a ceremony at each county building which has a memorial. 

The 30-member-strong group also financially assists via donations. One of their latest initiatives includes starting a fund at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, in hopes of adding a POW MIA to the park located to the east of the current memorials. 

Kunst is inviting the public to join him for a Veteran’s Day luncheon at Central Michigan University on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. in the CMU Veterans’ Resource Center within the Bovee University Center. Learn more here. 

Courtney Jerome / Epicenter Mt. PleasantNumerous community members and organizations contribute to the Michigan Vietnam Veterans Memorial, inclusive of the Forgotten Eagles and local Home Depot.