Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Wozniak.
Hi Larry, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2000, 55 WWII veterans were asked to have their stories recorded. NBC News’ Tom Brokaw introduced the video. in 2002 Korean veterans told their stories and later Vietnam veterans. This led retired Army Colonel Donald Alsbro to decide to form an organization. Lest We Forget was formed as a 501(c)(3) non profit in 2006. Our motto, “We Brighten the Future by Illuminating the Past,’ is meant to remind the public that the freedoms we have are because of our military. We have collected veterans’ stories and published seven books, sponsor a Concert every November to honor our veterans, participate in a dozen area community parades and host an annual reenactment, each with a different theme including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, The US Navy, The Cold War, Women in the Service and the Sandbox Wars. In 2026, our Semiquincentennial, a Revolutionary War Reenactment will take place at Riverview Park on July 18-19.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The Community Businesses and locals have been very supportative. Grants from the Frederick S. Upton Foundation, The Schalon Foundation, Berrien Community Foundation, the Heart of Cook Grant, the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotary Foundation have allowed Lest We Forget to offer educational events free to the public. Like most other organizations, our struggle is to attract new, younger members. Our membership email list is about 300 people but 50-60 people attend our monthly 10:00 a.m. meetings on the 1st Wednesday at the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, Benton Harbor.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As Board President of Lest We Forget I speak for the organization, but everything we accomplish is because of the other 10 all volunteer Board Members. Two of them are not veterans as our membership includes veterans and patriots. LWF is mostly a Southwest Michigan group with some members from Northern Indiana. As fas as we know, no other organization like us exists.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
A reenactment weekend requires the help of 50 – 80 volunteers. Set up, logistics, scheduling, meal planning, sales table, operations office, VIP lodging, marketing, speaking at area civics clubs are just some of requirements to have a successful event.
Pricing:
- All activities are free to the public.
- Donations of any amount are appreciated.
- A Sales Booth sells our 7 volumns of Veteran Stories, T-Shirts, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LestWeForgetUSA.org
- Facebook: Lest We Forget USA in SW Michigan
- Youtube: Lest We Forget SouthWest Michigan
