The posted coordinates will take you to Orion Veterans Memorial in Lake Orion, Mi. This memorial is dedicated to the military personnel who gave to their country the supreme gift - that of their lives, so that we might live in Freedom!
The Orion Veterans Memorial is the Charter Township of Orion's tribute to the sacrifices made by the men and women of Orion and our country
This memorial is not about war, it's about people and paying tribute to all the military service personnel who honorably served their country. We don't glorify war, we glorify the spirit of the men and women that fought for this great country. The focus of the memorial is on world peace and the debt of honor owed to those who have served.
It is here at this memorial where you will need to look around for answers to the puzzle below. While you are here, take time read about the local men and women who have served in the military.
N 42° AB.CDE W 083° F.GH
What branch of military service is pictured on the 4th seal, on the western ‘wall’ just inside the memorial park? # of letters = A
How many seals are pictured on the above wall? = B
What war is commemorated on the plaque directly east of the center flags? # of letters = C
How many different war plaques are there around the center flags? (count carefully) = D
How many Orion residents have been killed in the Iraq war? = E
How many stars are above the Eagle on the north wall? + 1 = F
Just west and north of the north wall you will find a sitting area and some individual plaques dedicated to some Michigan men. Look for Joseph Wm Zikewich and read his plaque. How many stars did his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon have on it? - 1 = G
In this area you will find a plaque on the ground that reads, “Service – Peace – Sacrifice”. Count the number of words below the doves. This = H
The cache is located on a local trail.There is no direct access to the trail from this site. Please find appropriate parking with trail access. Please use extreme stealth while searching for the cache, as this trail is quite busy most of the time.
If you feel the need, you may check your answer here:
Happy Caching!
Bonus information - just for fun....
The Peacoat Monument you see in front of the north wall was created by Mr Zikewich. It is a one-of-a-kind monument, dedicated to all military personnel from all branches of service who have made the supreme sacrifice by giving their lives for this great country and are buried beneath the oceans and seas around the world.
There is no cross to mark the grave where they now lie. Rarely are they or their families given the recognition for what they have done in service to our country.
The maintenance and upkeep at this memorial is done voluntarily by a group of eight veterans from VFW post 334. These men were rewarded for their efforts at a recognition ceremony April 17, 2010. They include Harley Burcham, Joe Zikewich, Art Rozanski, Ron Pryor, Bob Watros, Loren Schmidt, Ric Goodwill and Dwight Watros.
These volunteers keep the memorial area in top shape removing the snow in the winter (I'm not so sure the snow ever actually hits the ground before they're whisking it away), sweeping and cleaning the rest of the year, planting flowers, trimming shrubs and doing whatever is necessary to properly maintain it and make it attractive. These men are EXTREMELY diligent to tend to this memorial area. As a result more and more people find the memorial a comforting place to go for remembrance and meditation.
There are five holiday celebrations at Orion Veterans Memorial each year. They are:
1. National Day of Prayer - May 5
2. Memorial Day - the last Monday in May
3. Patriot Day - Sept. 11
4. Veterans Day - Nov. 11 (this year it will be @ 7:00pm)
5. Pearl Harbor Day - Dec. 7
Times vary. For more information see related web page above.