September 12, 2016
Flanked by Sen. Gary Peters on the left, and U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence on the right, the newly inducted Junior Rangers pose for a group shot after the Sept. 10 ceremony.DEARBORN – On Saturday, Sept. 10, a group of over 70 children received their first taste of park stewardship after being sworn in as Junior Rangers during a special event paying tribute to the National Park Service’s 100-year anniversary.
The MotorCities National Heritage Area partnered with The Henry Ford Museum for this unique program which was held during The 66th annual Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village.
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters was on hand to perform the swearing-in ceremony marking possibly the first time a sitting U.S. Senator has inducted Junior Rangers. Peters was joined by U.S. Rep Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, and representatives from the National Park Service to perform the oath. Other speakers for the day included Shawn Pomaville, executive director of the MotorCities National Heritage Area; John Neilson, vice president of venues at The Henry Ford; and Mike Terrell, metro district supervisor for the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources.
Sen. Gary Peters performs a swearing-in ceremony for over 70 Junior Rangers during the MotorCities Centennial Tribute Event at Greenfield Village
A National Park theme inhabited Greenfield Village throughout the weekend-long Old Car Festival with a special exhibit featuring pieces from The Henry Ford with connections to the National Parks. The display included preserved pieces from the Henry Ford’s “Vagabonds” collection, a restored 1925 White touring car from Yellowstone National Park and the awe-inspiring pocket compass carried by John Muir as he explored the Yosemite Valley before lobbying for the creation of Yosemite National Park.
MotorCities was also proud to present a certificate to Lansing-area resident Jay Gottschalk who completed the 2016 Find Your Road Trip Passport Contest by visiting more than five MotorCities Passport sites and at least one National Park. The certificate was signed by Gov. Rick Snyder and declared, “I Found my Michigan National Parks.”
U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence poses with students from the American International Academy in Westland, MIMike Terrell from the state DNR presented the certificate to Gottschalk on behalf of the Governor.
Mike Terrell, left, from the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources presents the ‘Find Your Road Trip’ certificate on behalf of Gov. Rick Snyder to contest winner Jay Gottschalk