NEWSPAPERS Special Edition
ABOVE: A final gold Krugerrand was dropped into one of the Salvation Army’s red kettles at a Kroger near the intersection of Marter Road and Jefferson Avenue on
GOLD COIN GETS DROPPED IN RED KETTLE ONE LAST TIME
BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Lots of coins get dropped in the Salvation Army’s red kettles, but for 12 years one donation has stood out. On Dec. 2, a mysterious deep-pocketed donor dropped off a final gold Krugerrand coin at a Kroger in St. Clair Shores.
This year’s coin came with a note: “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! I am sorry to say — this is my last (Krugerrand). Hoping there are others who have (Krugerrands) that can help keep up this tradition in the future to help so many in need during the holidays. God Bless!”
The donor’s identity has been kept secret throughout the years. The coin has been dropped at the Kroger near the intersection of Marter Road and Jefferson Avenue each year. According to Monex last week, the value of the coin is $2,642. Last
year’s coin was valued at $2,031 when it was donated.
“(It was) very generous that someone was able to do that every year,” said Salvation Army Maj. Charlotte Hall, who oversees the organization’s Great Lakes Division.
When a coin is received by the organization, it is cashed in, and funds are distributed back to the unit that received the coin, according to Hall.
Hall said she has been stationed at Salvation Army locations throughout the country during her career and has seen gold Krugerrands donated.
“It’s amazing,” Hall said. “I was in Aurora, Illinois, and we had one donated while I was there.”
The donation came a day before Giving Tuesday, when all statewide donations to the Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, up to $25,000, were doubled. This match also comes from an anonymous donor, according to a press release.
LOCAL WOMAN HELPS STRAY CATS IN NEED
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — A love for animals and inspiration from friends got this Harrison Township resident into making cat carriers to keep stray cats warm during the winter.
Jo Addington learned how to make the carriers around 10 years ago.
“A lot of them (cats) don’t have shelters,” Jo said. “They’re out in the cold. People dump them, leave them and they have nowhere to go all winter.”
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
Dec. 2.
Photo provided by Galina Roehl
LEFT: From left, Warren Woods Christian School students Fisher McLeigh, 12, and Leo Duncan, 9, volunteer as bell ringers to bring in donations for the Salvation Army at the Kroger near the intersection of 13 Mile and Schoenherr roads.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Jo Addington poses with Sandy the cat who sits atop one of the cat carriers she made.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Pilates is a safe and e ective, low impact, form of exercise that can help PT patients recover from injuries, or surgeries, as well as improve balance, posture, and manage chronic pain conditions. Incorporating Pilates with PT gives patients the added benefit of working one on one with a licensed therapist, who is trained and educated in anatomy, medical procedures and conditions, as well as contraindications, and post-operative restrictions. Working with a licensed physical therapist who is a certified Pilates instructor, allows for a tailored rehab experience, with the goal of returning the patient to full activity. When tailored towards specific injuries/body parts, Pilates can be a whole-body approach. Physical therapy exercises require modifications, and Pilates provides your therapist with a wider variety of movements suited to beginners as well as more advanced progressions. Pilates is for everybody, regardless of gender, age, race, size, ability, or current fitness level.
Integrating Pilates into Physical Therapy: A Path to Enhanced Recovery
Pilates is more than just a fitness fad; it’s a transformative exercise method that can significantly boost your physical therapy journey. By integrating Pilates into rehabilitation, patients can experience improved recovery from injuries or surgeries, better manage chronic pain, and enhance overall balance and posture.
The Power of Pilates in Rehabilitation
Pilates is a safe, low-impact form of exercise that emphasizes core strength, flexibility, and mindful movement. When combined with physical therapy (PT), it o ers a holistic approach to healing. Licensed physical therapists trained in Pilates bring a unique advantage—they understand the nuances of anatomy, medical conditions, surgical procedures, and post-operative restrictions. This expertise allows for a customized treatment plan that respects your body’s needs while pushing towards optimal recovery.
1. Recovery from Orthopedic Injuries
If you’re healing from an orthopedic injury like a sprain, fracture, or muscle tear, incorporating Pilates into your PT can be invaluable. Pilates exercises are designed to:
• Enhance Strength and Mobility: Gentle, controlled movements help rebuild muscle strength without overloading injured areas.
• Improve Flexibility: Stretching exercises increase joint range of motion (ROM), aiding in a smoother recovery.
• Prevent Re-Injury: Focusing on proper alignment and muscle engagement reduces the risk of future injuries.
2.Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
A er surgeries such as joint replacements, spinal procedures, or ligament repairs, patients o en face challenges like sti ness and weakness. Pilates o ers:
• Tailored Exercises: Movements adjusted to your surgical restrictions and recovery stage.
• Functional Mobility Restoration: Exercises that mimic daily activities to help you return to normal life.
• Strength Building: Gradual resistance training to rebuild muscle mass and endurance.
3. Managing Neurological Conditions
Tailor Pilates Into Your Physical Therapy and Supercharge Your Recovery…
For those living with neurological conditions (e.g., stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis), Pilates can:
• Enhance Balance and Coordination: Improve proprioception and reduce fall risk.
• Increase Overall Mobility: Facilitate smoother, more controlled movements.
• Boost Quality of Life: Encourage independence and confidence in daily tasks.
4. A Customized Approach for Everyone
One of the beauties of Pilates is its adaptability:
• Injury-Specific Workouts: Target specific body parts needing attention.
• Whole-Body Integration: Promote overall wellness and symmetry.
• Modifications and Progressions: Suitable for beginners and can be intensified for advanced patients.
5. Inclusivity at Its Core Pilates is truly for everybody:
Whether you’re new to exercise or a seasoned athlete, Pilates meets you where you are.
• All Ages: From teens to seniors, exercises can be adapted accordingly.
• All Abilities: Whether you have mobility limitations or are fully active.
• Diverse Backgrounds: Inclusive regardless of gender, race, size, or fitness level.
Supporting Evidence from Research
Research has shown the positive impact of integrating Pilates into physical therapy:
• Physical and Psychological Benefits: Studies indicate improvements in quality of life, reduced pain, and enhanced flexibility and strength.
• Posture and Spinal Health: Pilates e ectively addresses spinal alignment issues, alleviating discomfort and improving function.
• Chronic Pain Management: Particularly beneficial for low back pain, leading to superior pain relief and functional improvements.
• Neurological Recovery: Aids in flexibility, gait, and even cognitive functions like memory and mood stabilization.
Conclusion
Integrating Pilates into your physical therapy program isn’t just an added exercise—it’s a strategic move towards comprehensive healing. Working with a licensed physical therapist who is also a certified Pilates instructor ensures you receive a tailored rehab experience focused on your unique goals and conditions.
Embrace the journey towards full activity and wellness. With the combined power of Pilates and physical therapy, a stronger, more balanced you is within reach.
Melissa J. Orille, DPT,
Jessica Keown, PTA with her patient
SECOND FRONT PAGE
DETROIT SAILOR KILLED AT PEARL HARBOR LAID TO REST
JOHN CUTHBERT AULD’S REMAINS IDENTIFIED THROUGH DNA
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
DETROIT — While growing up, Richard Auld remembers his grandmother, Lillian, and his dad, Edwin, sharing memories about a family member named Jack.
But he wasn’t sure who Jack was, until one day he realized the stories were about his uncle, John Cuthbert Auld, who was nicknamed Jack. The U.S. Navy man, who grew up in Detroit, was killed during the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
This year marks the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, which killed approximately 2,400 American service members and civilians.
In time, Auld learned more about his uncle, a 23-year-old seaman 2nd class who was aboard the USS Oklahoma when naval and air forces of the Japanese empire attacked the American base on Hawaii’s island of Oahu. On the following day, Dec. 8, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed Congress and asked for a declaration of war with Japan, which drove the United States into World War II.
“They rescued several sailors that day after the attack,” Auld said. “Everyone else was presumed dead. They didn’t have much hope. They always told me he died on the Oklahoma.”
While the family knew John didn’t survive, his remains were only officially identified after Auld provided a DNA sample in 2017. At press time, John was set to be laid to rest at 10 a.m. Dec. 6 with full military honors at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Auld, who resides in Albuquerque, said the cemetery was chosen
because that is where Lillian and Edwin are buried.
“It will be an honor to have him with his mom and his brother,” Auld said.
Family members and friends were expected to attend the burial. John also was expected to receive military honors at the airport when his remains arrived.
For his service, John was awarded the following medals and decorations: Purple Heart medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with fleet clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze star, World War II Victory Medal, and American Campaign Medal.
‘It’s definitely a huge loss’
John was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, on June 15, 1918. The family moved to the U.S. and settled in Detroit. On Nov. 6, 1940, John enlisted in the Navy and underwent basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes, in Illinois.
John’s seaman duties included painting, cleaning and polishing the vessel’s brightwork, equipment repair, storing and securing items, and assisting with cargo. The young man also stood watches as a lookout, telephone talker and messenger, and he was a member of a gun crew.
Richard Auld’s dad, Edwin, four years younger than John, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1942-46.
“They were normal kids in a good family. It’s definitely a huge loss. I never got to meet him,” said Auld, who was born in 1960. “Every Dec. 7, we talked about him.
RIGHT: While serving in the U.S. Navy, John Cuthbert Auld, of Detroit, was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. At press time, he was expected to be laid to rest on Dec. 6 with full military honors at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
BELOW: Sailors aboard the USS Oklahoma pose for a group photo.
LEFT: The USS Oklahoma was commissioned in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 2, 1916.
The ship’s history includes sailing in August 1918 with her sister ship, the USS Nevada, to protect and escort allied convoys in European waters during World War I. In December 1918, the vessel escorted then-President Woodrow Wilson to France to negotiate the Treaty of Versailles. In June 1919, it returned to France to escort the president home.
Photos provided by the Public Affairs Office, Navy Personnel Command
RELATED STORY:
Local filmmakers make
‘MAD’
passion project into a reality
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — A documentary film made by some Michigan locals promises to give viewers insight into Mad Magazine’s history and its impact on the culture through its satirical influences.
The idea for this “When We Went MAD!” documentary came from its Director Alan Bernstein from Pleasant Ridge, who has been a fan of Mad Magazine since he was 7 years old. Bernstein said he was waiting for someone to make this film but decided to take on this challenge himself when no one else did.
“I’ve been interested in this since I was a kid and I’d have loved to write for MAD or make movies and I chose film making,” Bernstein said.
Mad Magazine is an American humor magazine that was started by Harvey Kurtzman and William Gaines in 1952. Much of its comedic content comes from poking fun at different aspects of pop culture and politics, and it would reach 2.5 million issue sales in the 1970s.
“For generations, MAD Magazine shaped and warped its readers’ senses of humor and their very outlook on the world around them. From the McCarthy hearings
and the Cold War to Taylor Swift and social media, MAD Magazine was there to poke fun at all of it,” said a press release from the “When We Went MAD!” team.
In 2019, the magazine would cease to publish new content, though previous editions can be mailed to subscribers or found at comic book shops.
For this film, Bernstein, documentary editor Erich Wiemer and cinematographer Scott West have been working with former magazine staff members and celebrity guests for around 16 years to tell a compelling story about Mad Magazine’s history and impact. Through a Kickstarter, the filmmakers were able to raise $40,000-$50,000 for the project.
“We’re not trying to make a History channel piece,” said Wiemer, who is from Troy. “We want to look at Mad from a satirical standpoint of how the culture feels about presidents and hippies, and make sure people know about the cultural impact that led to its demise by making (‘Saturday Night Live’) or ‘The Simpsons.’”
The film initially started with interviews from the Mad staff. Through the connections of production company Chassy Media, the film was able to include inter-
Alan Bernstein is the director of the “When We Went MAD!” documentary film.
Photo provided by Alan Bernstein
PEARL HARBOR ARTIFACTS LINK BACK TO DAY OF INFAMY 83 YEARS AGO
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — The belongings, material and personal, of Michiganders who were at Pearl Harbor on and around that infamous day continue to make their way home.
John Lind, director of the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum, has been able to secure several items from the USS Oklahoma and USS Arizona: a prayer book from either ship and four envelopes from the Arizona postdated Dec. 7, 1941.
The Arizona items come from the estate of a Michigan man, who Lind did not name, who was on his way out of the Navy on Dec. 6.
“This person went to the mail section on the ship and got these envelopes in advance,” Lind said. “The story is this gentleman here was transferred on Dec. 6, the Saturday before, because they conducted no business on Sunday. … He was going back stateside. He was done, his hitch was over, and he reached California and he said, ‘You know what? I’m going back in.’”
The unnamed Arizona sailor joined over 300,000 Americans who showed up to recruitment offices on Dec. 8, 1941. Lind says about 30,000 people volunteered at the Detroit office.
The Oklahoma prayer book, which is in a more fragile
state than the Arizona book, was acquired from a separate sailor who reached out to Lind.
“He was on (the USS) Oklahoma,” Lind said. “He came back to the United States, was retrained and then he got on other ships throughout the war.”
Prayer books were commonly taken from ships while the envelopes were postdated sometime before Dec. 7.
The attack on Pearl Harbor is as much a story of what was not lost as it is about what was. While the battleships USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma and USS Utah were scrapped and the aircraft carriers assigned to the base were saved by virtue of being out of port, the lightly attacked support facilities — dry docks, maintenance shops and oil yards — allowed for the other damaged ships to be repaired and returned to service. Lind says that Michiganders were sought out to repair and retrofit the fleet.
“The Navy came to Detroit and took as many skilled trades (as possible) to go to Pearl Harbor to get Pearl Harbor back in shape,” Lind said. “If the Japanese would have concentrated on the rebuilding centers, the fuel farms, the maintenance shops, Pearl Harbor would have come back but it would have been years later. Instead, within six weeks basically, all the dry docks and maintenance shops at Pearl Harbor were back online.”
See ARTIFACTS on page 9A
Photo by Dean Vaglia
Prayer books from the USS Arizona and Oklahoma, along with envelopes from the Arizona, have come into the possession of the Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum.
COOPERATION KEY TO ‘STATE OF MACOMB’
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MACOMB COUNTY — On the evening of Dec. 4, leaders and luminaries from throughout the region gathered inside the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts to address the State of Macomb County in 2024.
Democratic Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel began the bulk of the address with the theme of partnership being the No. 1 tool to get things done.
“Now that (the election) is over, can we just set aside the Blue vs. Red and the Rs and Ds?” Hackel said. “I’ve said this many times before and I think it’s starting to catch on in light of what I’ve been hearing recently: It’s time to stop reaching across the aisle. Let’s forget reaching across the aisle. It’s time to get in the aisle and get things done on behalf of the people. And the way we get things done in Macomb County is not through partisanship, it’s through partnership.”
Examples of partnerships between the county and its stakeholders were discussed in relation to six categories: economic development, quality of life, roads and infrastructure, health and community services, public safety and education.
Macomb County Planning and Economic Development showcased various projects throughout the county that were receiving country support: the redevelopment of Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, the overhaul of downtown Mount Clemens and the creation of General Sports and Entertainment’s new headquarters in Utica.
Related to economic development is the country’s financial position, which Hackel touted as strong due to the 14th consecutive year of a balanced budget and the recent increase in the county’s bond rating by Moody’s to “Aa1 with a positive outlook.”
“To quote the release, ‘The outlook is positive because the county will maintain robust finances and it benefits from prudent budget management,’” Hackel said.
Republican Don Brown, chair of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, believed this economic performance showed off the best examples of how the board and county executive have been able to partner on various matters.
“My board has a saying, ‘one team, one mission,’ and Mark Hackel is part of that team and understands that,” Brown said. “He’s worked together with everybody to raise everyone’s boats … We don’t agree on everything but when we don’t, we sit down to figure it out and talk about it. We’re working very well together. The financial picture he highlighted shows the result.”
Hackel’s next segment, quality of life, focused on the ways the county was supporting plans and programs to make Macomb County a desirable place to be. The Green Macomb and Blue Economy initiatives were highlighted as prime examples. Green Macomb’s goal is to expand the county’s tree canopy. The Blue Economy initiative is focused on developing and protecting Lake St. Clair, with its original mission of removing logjams in the Clinton River and eliminating Lake St. Clair beach closures.
Providing Harrison Township with a $1 million grant to build the Digger Odell Memorial Bridge over the Clinton River Spillway was Hackel’s biggest example, in terms of expense, of a community-led quality-of-life project receiving county support.
Roads and infrastructure were the next point of discussion. Much of the information about road projects was reviewed from the country’s “state of the roads” address, with Innovate Mound serving as a key example of a project that required partnerships between county and local — as well as state and federal — governments to be completed.
With the county owning the primary roads in townships, Republican Macomb Township Treasurer Leon Drolet made it clear that county-municipality partnerships on road projects were not just important but required.
“The township doesn’t run its own roads, but we’re required to pay for a good chunk, usually about half, of road projects,” Drolet said. “Coordinating with the county and roads is not an option — it’s a necessity. We’ve had a great relationship with the county.”
Macomb Township’s work with the county and state, notably state Sen. Veronica Klinefelt, D-Eastpointe, has allowed for the funding of various road projects in the township.
South of Macomb Township is Clinton Township, where newly elected Democratic Supervisor Paul Gieleghem, the township’s former treasurer, has long been adamant
Photo by Dean Vaglia Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel delivers the 2024 State of Macomb County address at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on the evening of Dec. 4.
10A
MAD
from page 4A
views with well-known names like Quentin Tarantino, Judd Apatow, Bryan Cranston, Gilbert Gottfried, Howie Mandel, and Weird Al Yankovic.
“We interviewed Weird Al at the Cherry Festival in Traverse City before his performance,” Wiemer said. “We were brought into the makeup trailer and hung out for 45 minutes to an hour. We’re all Weird Al fans.”
The film had its world premiere in New
York in October and recently held a Midwest premiere at the Redford Theatre in Detroit in November. “When We Went MAD” will likely have another premiere in Los Angeles in the near future, and the filmmakers are currently exploring streaming service options with Amazon Prime and Apple.
“We hope to expand to other screenings,” Bernstein said. “We’re looking at film festivals and figuring out what our distributor will let us do.”
For more information, visit the “When We Went MAD” Facebook page or www. whenwewent mad.com
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Beechwood Manor: A Legacy of Exceptional Senior Living in St. Clair Shores
Since its founding in 1986, Beechwood Manor has earned a strong reputation as a premier senior living community, serving St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, and surrounding areas. Conveniently located at 24600 Greater Mack Avenue in St. Clair Shores, Beechwood is celebrated for its dedication to quality care and its warm, personalized environment. The hallmark of Beechwood Manor is the sense of community fostered by its caring staff. Beyond meeting residents’ daily needs, the team cultivates a nurturing atmosphere where residents and visitors alike feel welcomed and valued. The smaller, intimate setting ensures a safer environment with lower staff-to-resident ratios. What sets Beechwood Manor apart is its commitment to maintaining a close-knit team of direct-hire staff, many of whom have been with the community for years—some for over two decades. This stability fosters a strong sense of trust and familiarity among residents and caregivers alike. Beechwood Manor has traditionally offered both permanent residence and respite stays, accommodating a wide range of needs. Additionally, a daycare option is slated to launch in 2025, expanding the community’s offerings for seniors and their families.
Personalized Caregiving
Beechwood Manor is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care for each resident. Caregivers assist with a variety of daily tasks, including bathing, mobility, medication management, wound care, and incontinence care. By tailoring services to meet the unique needs of each individual, the facility ensures residents maintain dignity and independence while
receiving the highest standard of support.
Life Enrichment for Residents
Beechwood Manor provides residents with a vibrant array of daily activities designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. With 12 hours of engaging activities each day, residents can enjoy birthday celebrations, daily exercise routines, live entertainment, a weekly cooking and travel club, and arts and crafts sessions. These programs keep residents active, engaged, and connected, fostering a sense of community and joy.
Fresh, Scratch-Cooked Dining
Nutrition is a key focus at Beechwood Manor, where residents are served nutritious, home-cooked meals daily. Meals are carefully crafted to meet specific dietary and therapeutic needs. All meals are scratch-cooked with produce sourced through Detroit’s Eastern Market.
A late-night snack cart is also available.
Convenient Transportation Services
To help residents maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle, Beechwood Manor provides complimentary transportation services. Residents enjoy free rides to medical appointments within close proximity, as well as outings to local attractions such as zoos, museums, restaurants, sporting events, and more.
With its focus on community, care, and convenience, Beechwood Manor remains a standout in senior living, offering residents a place to thrive and feel truly at home. Learn more at BeechwoodManor.net or by calling 586-773-5950.
Jo said she was inspired by her friend who got really involved with animal rescue work.
“She taught me a lot of things that I know,” Jo said.
Her husband, Don Addington, said Jo also is an animal lover who grew up with cats.
The cat carriers are made out of Styrofoam coolers, bubble wrap and plastic jugs for an awning to keep out the elements. Jo gets the coolers from a hospital where she works.
She also adds straw for more warmth. The carrier sits on a wooden pallet to keep it away from the ground.
There are two sizes; a small carrier and a bigger one that can house a mother cat and her babies. Jo said the number of carriers needed depends on the number of cats and if the cats get along with each other.
Jo first learned how to make them by going to a shelter-building class hosted by All About Animals.
“And then I learned as I went along,” Jo said.
Don cuts out the inside of the coolers.
“I couldn’t have done this without him,” Jo said.
This year alone, they’ve made around 115 cat carriers. Last year, they only made 50.
“It’s like an overwhelming response, you know,” Jo said. “You get more and more people.”
Jo told of various circumstances the people who get a carrier experience. She said there was a trailer park that had around 100
cats and another person had around 25 cats and 10 kittens behind her business.
“I try to do a little at a time, each place, just so everybody gets some,” Jo said. “Because I still have a long list. I mean, there’s still people wanting them.”
The cat carriers are given away on a mostly first-come, first-served basis. Jo said some people say they want a carrier but can’t get it until the next week.
“Well, it’s freezing out and there’s cats that need it, so this person is probably going to get it if they come today. You know what I mean?” Jo said. “And then I’ll eventually make more that they can have more. But I’d rather get them out there when it’s cold.”
“They’ll just go to the bottom of the list,” Don said. “(It’s) whoever comes first.”
Jo also said if there is an emergency, such as a mother cat who recently had babies, they get first priority.
“(It) just depends,” Jo said. “I try to keep a list of everybody, what they need and how many, and how many cats they have.”
Jo asks people to make a small donation when asking for a cat carrier. If they can’t, that’s fine as well.
Along the way, Jo made friends in the animal rescue world.
“It’s just amazing how many people are out there that do help and, you know, it’s just really nice that there are so many special people,” Jo said.
Some of the people who use the cat carriers will sometimes send her pictures of the cats using them.
“It’s kind of therapeutic to me,” Jo said. “I work full time, so I do this on my days off.”
Jo added that building the cat carriers is relaxing.
Don said that a large number of outside
cats are not feral, but rather are cats that were dumped by their humans.
“A high percentage are feral, but a larger percentage is growing because people just move and they don’t take them or they can’t afford to feed them,” Don said. “And those are cats that aren’t used to being outside.”
The number of feral, unowned cats is tricky to nail down. A United States Department of Agriculture study from 2021 said 30 million to 80 million cats are unowned in reference to a 2013 study. This study also specified that a large portion of owned cats are considered “free ranging.” A study from the National Library of Medicine published in 2019 states there are around 70 million
unowned cats in the United States compared to around 1.4 million to 2.4 million in Canada. A study from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimated there are anywhere from 60 million to 100 million “homeless stray and feral cats.” Don and Jo said they both think others should start making the cat carriers. Jo even offered to show people how to make them. Don often asks Jo why other people don’t make them.
“She’s like the queen of making them,” Don said.
To donate supplies to Jo, contact her on Facebook under the name Jo Sweeney Addington.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
The cat carriers Jo Addington makes features an awning to keep out the elements as well as straw for extra insulation.
I feel like I know him now after the Navy’s recovery efforts.”
Auld’s dad moved the family, including wife, Esther, to New Mexico to work in the grocery business. Auld has some photos of his uncle and has been told there is a family resemblance.
A few years ago, Auld and his wife Karen traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii for a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to pay tribute to the 33 unaccounted for sailors from the USS Oklahoma buried with full military honors.
“Very emotional,” Auld said. “It was very moving.”
According to the Navy, since the ceremony, one more sailor, radioman 3rd class Frank Hoag Jr., has been identified.
Project Oklahoma
On Dec. 2, the Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs Office issued a press release that included information about Project Oklahoma, a disinterment and identification project through the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
During Project Oklahoma, the Navy’s POW/MIA Office contacted family members to ask for their participation in the Family Reference Sample Program. That is where surviving family members of a veteran killed on duty offer DNA samples that are used to determine if there is a match.
That is exactly what Auld did to confirm his uncle’s remains.
Through the process, 356 of the 388 service members from the USS Oklahoma who were originally unaccounted for have now been identified, according to Capt. Jeff Draude, director, Navy Casualty Office.
Scientists with the DPAA, in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii and Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, are responsible for identifying unaccounted for service members by matching the DNA reference samples from surviving family members. Other documents, including available medical and dental records, are also used.
The Navy Casualty Office’s policy for notification is to work directly with the primary next of kin with matters involving their loved one’s remains. Once the DPAA makes a positive identification, the Navy’s Casualty Office conducts an official notification to the next of kin.
Once the identification brief has con-
cluded, the family can decide to have the remains interred in a local national or state cemetery, a private cemetery, reinterred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, or Arlington National Cemetery. Families may also choose to have the remains cremated and retained with the family.
“When briefing families, we often hear things like, ‘My family did not believe he was dead,’ or, ‘He probably was not on board the ship,’ or, ‘Maybe one day he would walk through the door,’” Draude said. “Being able to recover and identify the remains of these sailors aids in the closure to these families.
“It is especially important to the Navy to honor our sailors and Marines who paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving their lives for our country,” Draude said. “Often the notification and identification briefing can be emotional, overwhelming and relieving for the families. Most families we speak with cannot believe their loved one has actually been recovered and/or identified after so many years.”
The Navy covers all primary mortuary expenses: preparation of the remains, casket of choice, all transportation of remains from the lab to final resting place, and family travel and lodging for up to three family members.
Artifacts
from page 5A
It is hard to determine how many Pearl Harbor veterans are still alive for the 83rd anniversary, though the number is certainly not many. Anyone serving in the U.S. military at the time would be a centenarian by now.
An Associated Press article about the 2023 commemoration mentions five survivors were in attendance with a sixth unable to make it due to health concerns. The Los Angeles Times reported nine Pearl Harbor survivors attended a ceremony at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans in January 2023. Lou Conter, the last surviving sailor from the USS Arizona, died in April 2024 at 102 years old.
According to NBC’s KNHL local news in Hawaii, at least one survivor was expected to attend this year’s commemoration of the 83rd anniversary of the attack at 104 years old. The National World War II Museum in New Orleans says that of the 16.4 million Americans who served during World War II, around 66,140 were alive as of 2024. Of that number, 2,520 were Michiganders.
Coin
from page 1A
The Krugerrand started being produced in South Africa in 1967. It’s named after Paul Kruger, who was the president of the South African Republic from 1883 to 1900.
According to a Los Angeles Times article, President Ronald Reagan banned imports of the currency in 1985 following pressure from Democrats to crack down on South Africa’s apartheid government. The article states that $600 million worth of Krugerrands were marketed in the United States in 1984. A Seattle Times article states that the ban on importing the coins into the U.S. was lifted in 1991.
How are people giving?
This year, the Salvation Army is pushing its “Tap to Give” option. This allows donations to be made with a cash app, credit card and debit card at locations throughout metro Detroit. When giving, donors will be
Address
from page 6A
that the mechanism for road funding needs to be changed. Gieleghem was no less spirited about the issue as he stepped into the Lorenzo Cultural Center for the Taste of Macomb reception after the address. It’s an issue Hackel would also like Lansing to address.
“Mark is absolutely correct that we need a lot more dollars from the state and a fair (funding) formula to meet the needs of our population,” Gieleghem said.
Health and community services focused on the various programs and initiatives the county operates to aid senior citizens. Examples included the Meals on Wheels program and the newly established Macomb County Elder Justice Alliance, which involves 80 organizations working together to combat elder abuse. A new community impact fund in the 2025 budget will see the county work with Advancing Macomb to target grants and philanthropic dollars for nonprofit development, parks
prompted with different amounts they can contribute.
“You can use your phone or any of your chipped cards,” Hall said.
Donations are down nationwide 40%, according to Hall, though she said the Detroit area holds its own in comparison to the rest of the country.
“Detroiters are known for supporting the Army,” Hall said. “They always come through for us and we really appreciate that.”
Galina Roehl, who does public relations for the Salvation Army, said donations are up from last year. Though, she said, donations to the red kettles themselves are down.
“They’re getting more money from mail and social media,” Roehl said, who added that these alternative sources include the “Tap to Give” option.
Hall said volunteer hours have been down this year. The organization is looking for those who can help to meet its goal.
“It really just takes an army of volunteers to raise $7 million,” Hall said.
Those interested in volunteering can sign up at registertoring.com.
and public spaces, small business innovation, senior citizen advocacy and childhood achievement.
Public safety showcased the central intake and assessment center project at the Macomb County Jail, as well as a mention of the Department of Justice L. Anthony Sutin Award, given this year to Hackel and Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham for their community policing efforts.
Finally, a focus on education highlighted the county’s work with the Macomb Intermediate School District, local districts and Macomb Community College to advance educational programs throughout the county.
“Our way of doing things (in Macomb County) is just sometimes different,” Hackel said. “We believe in doing things together, not alone. We believe in bringing people in, not shutting them out. We believe in lending a hand, not pointing a finger. We also believe in giving credit where credit is due and not assigning blame. As I hope that I have shown you, we truly believe in the power of partnership.”
Enjoy a carefree lifestyle with Waltonwood!
We support residents’ active and independent lifestyles and remove the worry and stress that seniors — and their family members — often experience when they’re living on their own.
Move to Waltonwood and spend time doing the things you love most. We’ll take care of the rest this holiday season and all year long.
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