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New tax law could help first official Michigan WWII memorial get off the ground

Rendering of the memorial
Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial Board
Design for the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial.

 

Governor Snyder has signed a new tax law that offers assistance to a proposed World War Two memorial in Oakland County.

The law adds theMichigan WWII Legacy Memorialto the list of organizations you'll be able to donate to through your state income tax return.

Deb Hollis is the president of the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial Board. She joined Stateside’s Cynthia Canty to discuss the current status of the Memorial and effect of this new law. 

Hollis’ group began in 2007 as Michigan Honor Flight, flying 1,400 Michigan World War II veterans to D.C. free of charge. When they completed that mission in 2011, the group shifted its focus to constructing a state memorial for the veterans. 

Hollis said the group completed its planning about two or three years, designing an amphitheater-style memorial to be built in Royal Oak’s Memorial Park. 

“That part of Memorial Park was dedicated in 1948 as a World War II park, and the memorial was just never built. So it's really the perfect space for us to use,” Hollis said. 

Hollis said it's important to note that while the memorial will be in Royal Oak, it is meant as a statewide tribute to the veterans. She said the new tax law will be crucial in drawing attention to the plan from people across Michigan. 

This post was written by Stateside production assistant Sophie Sherry. 

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