Home Cookin’ – Celebrating Veteran’s Day With a MV Show (and BBQ)

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Veterans Day draws its origins from the end of World War I, when Armistice Day was created to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Observed every November 11 since then to honor all military veterans, the name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954. Of course, this differs from Memorial day, which honors those who have died while in military service, and Armed Forces Day, which honors those currently serving in the U.S. military.

Over time the number of Veterans Day events that encouraged or accepted the display of military vehicles has dwindled. Several years ago, I remember hearing from friends in the Indy MVPA affiliate about a restaurant called Mission BBQ that hosted an annual Veterans Day event. They featured a program recognizing Veterans on Veteran’s Day with a free sandwich at their restaurants, and encouraged military vehicle owners to actively participate.

So in 2021, members of the Military Vehicle Collectors Club of Michigan were thrilled to finally get our own metro Detroit Mission BBQ location, and were delighted to find out the stories were true. Their “mission” has always been to honor America’s military, police officers, firefighters and first responders, and their annual Veterans Day events have backed this up. They have welcomed us back every year since, and have always been exceedingly accommodating during our visits.

Our November 2023 event was no different. On a brisk but mostly sunny morning, club members assembled with their vehicles before the opening, and took up positions on the grassy areas in front of the restaurant. Not long after, we met with Mission BBQ Community Ambassador Vivica Townsin, who filled us in on the details of the day, and by 11 a.m., nine vehicles had accumulated, stretching out facing a busy main road with substantial traffic. Varied responses from passing motorists were near constant. Veterans and people of all ages started to filter in to see the trucks and ask questions. A number of veterans recounted stories or shared memories that seeing the particular MV brought to mind, and the phrase, “I drove one of these in the service”, was heard more than once that day.

As a club, we’re very happy to say that we’ve been able to increase the number display vehicles every year. For 2023, nine trucks made the trip to Northville Twp., offering a good variety of MVs in both size and age. We had a couple of 1950s Willys Jeeps, two WWII half-ton Dodges, a three-quarter-ton Dodge M37, two M923 5-tons, a recently retired Marine Corp M1163, plus a 1944 Studebaker M29C Weasel. Mission BBQ also had their company-branded M35A3 on hand to make an even 10 military vehicles.

After the people got a chance to check out the trucks, the official event started with a flag-folding ceremony performed by the American Legion Post 32 Livonia, Mich., Honor Guard, followed by the national anthem, sung by Staff Sergeant Tim Brown, from Southfield, Mich. Shortly after, the Mission BBQ doors opened and veterans of all ages and branches of services took their place in line to enjoy their lunch. The line extended out the door for several hours, and the Mission team didn’t quit until all were served.

This year also saw another location open in Troy, Mich., and members nearby didn’t waste any time to join the tribute there. In addition, we had other members attending the Stahls Museum event with their vehicles, so it was a busy day for the MVCCMI. Once again, members enjoyed the opportunity to bring their vehicles out to help salute veterans, the veterans and public liked seeing the trucks, and everyone loved their lunch! I can’t ever remember seeing a happier bunch of veterans.