Farmington Hills held its 29th annual Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11, where city leaders and community members gathered to honor local veterans and recognize those missing in action.

Mayor Teresa Rich opened the program with remarks thanking veterans and their families and recognizing elected officials and city staff in attendance, including State Representative Samantha Steckloff and council members Michael Bridges, Valerie Nall, John Aldred and newly elected Charlie Starkman. "We are thankful to have this opportunity to honor and acknowledge our local veterans who join us this morning," Rich said, noting the event’s long history in the city.

Rich thanked longtime sponsor American House, which the transcript records as supporting the event for 29 years, and acknowledged city staff for organizing the program. She also referred to ongoing city planning for a replacement activity center, saying council members have been "learning about the various viable locations before making a decision on where to proceed forward." She described the goal as maintaining community character while building a facility intended to serve future generations.

The mayor announced that the next Farmington Hills City Council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 24 at 5 p.m., when newly elected council members will be sworn in; the council will then immediately hold a study session to discuss options for the activity center’s location. "I am hoping that that day as a council, we are able to reach some consensus on a good next step," Rich said. The transcript also records an open call for volunteers to apply for vacancies on the Beautification Commission.

Farmington Mayor Joe LaRussa offered remarks on the personal meaning of Veterans Day and previewed a veteran roll call later in the program, calling veterans’ stories the highlight of the event. "It's your day. It's a day of celebration. It's a day of reflection," he said.

Colonel Edward Hirsch led a formal POW/MIA remembrance and explained the symbolism of the memorial table — including the single place setting, white tablecloth, red rose, pinch of salt and inverted glass — asking attendees to "remember and never forget their sacrifices."

Event organizers closed by thanking attendees and announcing that lunch service would begin shortly. The Nov. 24 council meeting and the activity center study session are the next procedural steps referenced during the ceremony; no votes or formal council actions took place at the event itself.