City of Southfield to host Veterans’ Day Ceremony November 7

October 30, 2025

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The city of Southfield will host the annual Veterans’ Day Ceremony on Friday, November 7 at 11 a.m. in Southfield Council Chambers, 26000 Evergreen Road. This annual event serves to honor and recognize the service and sacrifice of military personnel and to support and strengthen veterans’ causes.

The ceremony will begin with a presentation of colors by the Southfield Police and Fire Honor Guard followed by welcome by Mayor Dr. Kenson Siver and Southfield Veterans’ Commission President Gerald Houston followed by and invocation by Reverand Richard R. White III, Senior Pastor, Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. The ceremony will include remarks from Oakland County Executive David Coulter, Southfield City Council President Ari Mandelbaum, Southfield City Councilman Daniel Birghtwell, Jason Zielke, Supervisor, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Service Office in Detroit, and Steffany Muirhead, MSW, Chief of Staff, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. The event will also feature a presentation of a certificate to James Elias Jackson, a 91 year old Marine Veteran of the Korean War.

Following the ceremony a wreath will be placed outside at the war memorial followed by Trumpets by Rudolph B. Wade, VFW post 2645 and a 21-gun salute. The event will conclude with a benediction by Reverend Dr. Kevin B. Smalls of Hope United Methodist Church. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
During the event, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will have a mobile service office on site and will have a distribution truck to provide winter clothing to veterans in need.

“In recognition of Veterans Day, we gather to honor the brave men and women who have served our country,” commented Southfield Mayor Kenson Siver. “Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to duty have made possible the freedoms we enjoy today. Our commitment to veterans must go beyond just providing them with services and benefits. We must also work to create a society where they are respected and valued.”

The Veteran’s Day Ceremony is put on by the Southfield Veteran’s Commission and is sponsored by Mission BBQ and VFW Post 2645. The Southfield Veterans’ Commission serves to strengthen common veterans’ causes and to make the community aware of veterans’ rights and roles; honor those who have passed on; preserve honor for those veterans of the future; and to assist veterans and their families when in need.

About James Elias Jackson

James Elias Jackson was a combat infantry trainer in the U.S. Marines from 1952-1954. He was a flamethrower operator and a bazooka operator, which required close contact during combat. He served in the Korean War and left the military after the war ended.

James worked for General Motors for 49 years and retired in 1996 as an International Representative for the UAW. During his tenure, he negotiated several national agreements between GM and the UAW. He was also the Chairman of Local 668 from 1970-1980 in Saginaw, MI.

James was an avid golfer, winning many championships with his golf club, The Saginaw Travelers. He has been the President of the Sr. Usher Board for 30 years at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Southfield, MI. He was married to Nella D. Jackson for 59 years before she passed in 2019.

James is a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Spending time with family is one of his favorite pastimes, in addition to watching his favorite game shows, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud and Raid The Cage.