March 13th, is K9 Veteran’s Day. It was on March 13, 1942, that the Army began training for its new War Dog Program, also known as the “K-9 Corps,” It was the first time that dogs were officially a part of the U.S. Armed Forces. Thank you to all the working dogs and their handlers for their service and dedication.

At the corner of Milford Rd and 11 Mile Near South Lyon is the Michigan War Dog Memorial.  The site was set up by the Elkow family in 1936 and known as “Happy Hunting Grounds Pet Cemetery.” In  1946 when the news of how many lives were saved by War Dogs during WWII  local residents raised money to install a monument to show their respect to the heroic K-9’s. Present At dedication of the 16-ton granite monument was a doberman pinscher named Sargent Sparks, a Marine Corps  scout and messenger dog that carried messages and medical supplies at  Guadalcanal and Okinawa. A year after the dedication, someone poisoned Sgt. Sparks near his Rochester home.  His master requested that he be buried wrapped only in a blanket, like so many of his buddies at the beaches. he was laid to rest at the base of the monument.

Probably the most famous dog buried at the cemetery is “Blizzard,” one of Admiral Byrd’s lead sled dogs.  He was at the Chicago Worlds Fair and was sold to people who lived in Windsor. When Blizzard died in 1937 at 12 years of age, he was buried at the cemetery.  Along with Blizzard, is a parrot that was on Admiral Dewey’s flagship that was owned by the city of Detroit when he died at 86 years. (Parrots can live to be 150 years old)

The Final Resting Place for Admiral Byrd’s sled dog “Blizzard”

If a military working dog is killed in action or at home base, there is a memorial and burial with honors; however, if the Veterinary Corps retires a military working dog, and it is adopted out and dies the Michigan War Dog Memorial and Cemetery is a place for a heroic K-9 to be laid to rest at no cost to the handler/owner. There have been several dogs who served from all wars since 1936 that have been laid to rest along with police K-9s and other loyal working dogs.

you can find out more about the Memorial and Cemetery at their website HERE

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This castle-like gate is at the entrance to Elm Lawn Cemetery in Bay City. It was built in the 1890s at a time when cemeteries were built to be more of a park like setting and people would come a relax while spending time visiting deceased relatives and loved ones. Several of Bay City’s early prominent residents are laid to rest at Elm Lawn including several lumber barons and a few U.S. Congressmen.

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A few blocks from downtown Rochester is the historic Mount Avon Cemetery. A historical marker gives a little info and reads:

In 1826, Mount Avon became the first officially platted cemetery in Oakland County. The “Old Ground” or “Historic Acre” contains head-stones dating from 1817, the year the earliest settlers arrived in the area. Members of the Graham family, Rochester’s founders, are buried in Mount Avon, including James Graham (1818-1839), thought to be the first white child born in the county. In 1911 a statue of “Billy Yank” was erected in memory of Oakland County’s Civil War veterans.

While I was there taking photos I realized I was not alone.

A mother dear and her offspring were quietly eating among the headstones. Some of the old cemeteries were meant to be a parklike setting and it seems as if the deer find enjoyment in this historic graveyard.

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Brundage Wilderness Cemetery is located between Interlochen and Honor in ( you guessed it ) the wilderness. It sits along Brundage Creek and from what I could see the oldest tombstone is for Emeline Brundage who died in 1874. Many of her relatives are also buried in the old part of the cemetery so I assume that is where the cemetery and creek get their name from.  It is a rather secluded cemetery but there are some recent burials. I always thought it was a little strange that I find these old cemeteries interesting but I have learned a lot of you out there in internet land like these old cemeteries also. If you are ever near the base of the Leelanau Peninsula be sure to visit this wilderness cemetery off N. Carmean Road.

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