‘We fought for liberty:’ Michigan WWII vets welcome memorial


              Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col Alexander Jefferson attends a groundbreaking for the Michigan state World War II memorial, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Royal Oak, Mich. The memorial will eventually includes the laying of more than 1,200 donated Walk of Honor paver bricks, a Wall of Stars honoring the 15,000-plus Michigan lives lost during World War II and additional statues, including one dedicated to Rosie the Riveter. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
            
              Shovels are seen at the site of a groundbreaking for the Michigan state World War II memorial, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Royal Oak, Mich. The memorial will eventually includes the laying of more than 1,200 donated Walk of Honor paver bricks, a Wall of Stars honoring the 15,000-plus Michigan lives lost during World War II and additional statues, including one dedicated to Rosie the Riveter. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
            
              Members of the U.S. armed forces stand on the site of a groundbreaking for the Michigan state World War II memorial, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Royal Oak, Mich. The memorial will eventually includes the laying of more than 1,200 donated Walk of Honor paver bricks, a Wall of Stars honoring the 15,000-plus Michigan lives lost during World War II and additional statues, including one dedicated to Rosie the Riveter. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
            
              Original Rosie the Riveters from left, Frances Masters, Helen Kushnir and Clara Doutly are seen during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Michigan state World War II memorial, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Royal Oak, Mich. The memorial will eventually includes the laying of more than 1,200 donated Walk of Honor paver bricks, a Wall of Stars honoring the 15,000-plus Michigan lives lost during World War II and additional statues, including one dedicated to Rosie the Riveter. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
            Original Rosie the Riveters from left, Frances Masters, Helen Kushnir and Clara Doutly are seen during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Michigan state World War II memorial, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Royal Oak, Mich. The memorial will eventually includes the laying of more than 1,200 donated Walk of Honor paver bricks, a Wall of Stars honoring the 15,000-plus Michigan lives lost during World War II and additional statues, including one dedicated to Rosie the Riveter. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) A closeup of a Rosie the Riveter lunch pail during a groundbreaking for the Michigan state World War II memorial, Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Royal Oak, Mich. The memorial will eventually includes the laying of more than 1,200 donated Walk of Honor paver bricks, a Wall of Stars honoring the 15,000-plus Michigan lives lost during World War II and additional statues, including one dedicated to Rosie the Riveter. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) 
              CORRECTS DATE TO APRIL 7 - World War II veteran Art Fishman shows an arm patch logo from the U.S.S. Robinson, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Oak Park, Mich. Fishman's dream of a Michigan state World War II memorial is about to take one more step toward reality. Fishman, who sailed on a Navy destroyer in the Pacific theater as an 18-year-old, was to be among those on hand Thursday, April 7 when ground is broken for The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
            
              CORRECTS DATE TO APRIL 7 - World War II veteran Art Fishman shows some of his memorabilia, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Oak Park, Mich. Fishman's dream of a Michigan state World War II memorial is about to take one more step toward reality. Fishman, who sailed on a Navy destroyer in the Pacific theater as an 18-year-old, was to be among those on hand Thursday, April 7 when ground is broken for The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
            
              CORRECTS DATE TO APRIL 7 - World War II veteran Art Fishman is interviewed, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Oak Park, Mich. Fishman's dream of a Michigan state World War II memorial is about to take one more step toward reality. Fishman, who sailed on a Navy destroyer in the Pacific theater as an 18-year-old, was to be among those on hand Thursday, April 7 when ground is broken for The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
            World War II veteran Ethel (Cricket) Poland holds a photo of her younger self during an interview, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Oakland Township, Mich. Poland, who has lived in Michigan since the 1960s, served for three years in Washington, D.C., as part of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) program. "Although my part in the war was very small, I feel that it was worthwhile," said Poland, who planned to be in attendance for Thursday's ground breaking ceremony for The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) World War II veteran Ethel (Cricket) Poland is interviewed, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Oakland Township, Mich. Poland, who has lived in Michigan since the 1960s, served for three years in Washington, D.C., as part of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) program. "Although my part in the war was very small, I feel that it was worthwhile," said Poland, who planned to be in attendance for Thursday's ground breaking ceremony for The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) World War II veteran Ethel (Cricket) Poland is interviewed, Monday, April 4, 2022, in Oakland Township, Mich. Poland, who has lived in Michigan since the 1960s, served for three years in Washington, D.C., as part of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) program. "Although my part in the war was very small, I feel that it was worthwhile," said Poland, who planned to be in attendance for Thursday's ground breaking ceremony for The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)