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Honoring our fallen

By Sarah Shurge “The true hero is the military
Memorial Day is a federal holiday
for honoring and mourning the veteran, the police officer,
courageous men and women who
sacrificed their lives while serving in the fire fighter, and others
the U.S. military. who risk their lives daily and
On Tuesday, May 20th, a Memo-
rial Day service was held inside City often lose their lives
Hall. Steven Thomas, started the cer-
emony by playing the National An- protecting and defending us.”
them on his saxophone and closed Carol Bevard
the ceremony by playing America the
Beautiful. Master Chief
Bobby Kelly, CrossePointe Com-
munity Church Lead Pastor, led the Training and Aircrew Training, Be-
crowd in an opening prayer and Seth vard achieved the squadron's first fe-
MacDonald, Hillcrest Bible Church male C-118 Loadmaster in August
Lead Pastor, led the crowd in a clos- 1976. This represented a historic
ing prayer. breakthrough for female service
Wayne Mayor John Rhaesa gave a members in the Navy. Eventually, Be-
speech and introduced the featured vard transferred to Naval Air Station
speaker, Master Chief Avionics Tech- Miramar, California. Then in August
nician (Naval Aircrewman) Carol Be- 1978, she began her 27-year Naval
vard. Bevard has been a Wayne Reserve career with multiple com- Master Chief Bevard
resident since 1978. She spends her mands at Naval Air Facility Detroit, During her Memorial Day speech, Bevard. “The heroes we honor today
time volunteering with numerous or- Selfridge Michigan. She re-qualified Bevard shared a story about an offi- are not exclusive to any gender, race,
ganizations in the City of Wayne in- as a Loadmaster during her time cer she encountered during her time or religion. They come from all eco-
cluding the Rotary Club of Wayne, with VR-52, VR-24 and VR-62, and of service. In June 2005, an officer nomic classes and backgrounds.
where she has held the title of Rotary flew numerous missions to Europe, asked Bevard (he wanted to speak to They hail from all 50 states. And
President since October 2021, and accumulating over 500 flight hours. a seasoned sailor) about the advan- some have migrated from other
CrossPointe Community Church, as In June 1991, she received a tages of re-enlisting. Being that he countries. They are a diverse group,
the Women’s Ministry Director. Bachelor of Science Degree in Elec- was close to 20-years of service, Be- welded to believe that America is a
Bevard comes from a military trical Engineering from Lawrence vard encouraged him to re-enlist. nation worth dying for.”
family, where her dad, brother, and Technological University. And so he did. On Sunday, May 25th, a heartfelt
six uncles served in the Army. Be- Her final command was Naval Air Three years after their talk, he parade marched through the streets
vard joined the Navy in May 1975 Station Sigonella 0192. Here, Bevard was recalled to fight a war in and a ceremony was held at Wayne’s
and served our country for 30 years served as Command Career Coun- Afghanistan and on June 18, 2008, Veteran’s Memorial Garden of West-
(three years active duty and 27 years selor, Antiterrorist Force Protection he died of his wounds from an land. Pastor MacDonald led the
of reserve duty). Bevard’s initial Instructor, Training Department enemy attack. He was 37 years old. opening prayer at the Memorial Day
training took place at Recruit Train- Chief, and Quality Assurance Senior Bevard teared up as she recounted event. Mayor Rhaesa and Westland
ing Command in Orlando, Florida Chief. After attending the U.S. Navy the story. Mayor Kevin Coleman were the fea-
and her first duty station was Fleet Senior Enlisted Academy, Bevard “The true hero is the military vet- tured speakers.
Logistics Support Squadron-21 (VR- was promoted to Command Master eran, the police officer, the fire We thank Master Chief Bevard
21) at Naval Air Station Barber’s Chief. She retired as the Command fighter, and others who risk their and all the other veterans for their
Point, Hawaii. Master Chief in December 2005, lives daily and often lose their lives service, and we honor those that
During Deep Water Survival after 30 years of Naval Service. protecting and defending us,” said have laid down their lives for ours.

22 · June 2025 · The Wayne Dispatch