1Bn/246 Armor Michigan National Guard

02/13/2025

From Bob Mak.
May he rest in peace and Thank you for your Service Sir. 🇺🇸

Age: 82 Date of Death: February 6, 2025 Place of Death: Kalamazoo, MI Service Details: Interment will be held at Ft. Custer on a later date.

02/12/2025

Date of Death: February 6, 2025

Service Details
Interment will be held at Ft. Custer on a later date.

Obituary Notice
Robert Theodore VanDeraa, 82, of Three Rivers, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Ascension Borgess Hospital.

He was born November 1, 1942, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Bernard and Helen (Le Munyon) VanDeraa, and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the Class of 1963.

Bob served his country honorably in the U.S. Army in Korea, then in the National Guard until his retirement in 1997.

He worked as a certified machinist for several large companies in West Michigan and was a member of the Three Rivers Planning Commission.

On June 26, 1971, he married Barbara Calloway; they shared 47 years together before her passing in 2018. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and traveling together.

Bob was a force to be reckoned with and made his presence known among his many friends and acquaintances. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church; he would help anybody in need. He loved to fish, collect guns, and go for drives out in the country.

Remaining to cherish his memory are his brother, Gene (Mary) VanDeraa, sister-in-law, Lois Griffith; special niece, Kim (Ted) Talbot and their children, Bridget, Helen, and Leo; nephew, Scott (Mia) VanDeraa and their children, Lily and Benjamin; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces great-nephews, and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Ron.

02/12/2025

CSC of the Three Rivers unit has lost another member on february 6th 2025, SGt Robert Vanderra, he was 82 yrs old, and for years was the Armor of the unit. He also served in reg Army in Korea, retired in 1997 from CSC unit.I knew Bob for long time we were fishing buddies for years. We always had fun either while fishing or on our weekend excerusions to Ft.Custer, or the 2 weeks annual traing. RIP SGT until we meet again.

12/30/2024

TO ALL OF YOU, out there, everywhere...HAPPY NEW YEAR. Be safe and healthy and may 2025 be a much better year for all of us. Tank you. 😎👍

12/24/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to all of our 246th family,no matter were you are if your in the great Midwest in the cold or if your in the south or west were it warmer, wishing everyone a safe and joyous holiday, and remember our fallen brothers and sisters, and all of our brothers and sisters whom are out there doing there job to keep us safe this holiday season,see you all in 2025.

11/25/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all our 246th members and family, be safe in your holiday travels the next few days, and Happy Thanksgiving to all our brothers and sisters defending our right to enjoy a peaceful holiday be safe around the world troops.

11/10/2024

https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/time-capsule-from-1921-unearthed-ahead-of-demolition-at-camp-grayling-newspaper-military-guard-history-michigan-northern-crawford-county?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2c4pTRLpJZps06yDN_CObjDv3_janI1ui2xjDehBwRuHXhfTxaKJEOxbQ_aem_OY_k0yl3Hl2o8w0lQ_CBhw

Camp Grayling is set to demolish Building 31, a 1921 state garage and former welding shop that once stored fire trucks.

11/10/2024

Time Capsule from 1921 found, unveiled at Camp Grayling

At Camp Grayling, Building 31, built in 1921, was known as a welding shop and storage building. However, after more than a century of use, the building will soon be demolished.

When demolition was announced, Camp Grayling Community Relations Specialist Jennifer Caverson wanted to keep the brick with the year 1921 on it to preserve history. Caverson talked with Camp Grayling Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Mark McNeill about keeping the brick before demolition.

https://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/articles/editorials-and-letters/time-capsule-from-1921-found-unveiled-at-camp-grayling/

11/10/2024

Wishing all of our 246th family a Happy Veterans Day tomorrow 11/11/24 and to all those out there still providing our security and peace.

10/24/2024

I just received word that Co. B /CSC out of Three Rivers has lost another member, James Awe passed away Oct 17th 2024 and was part of the Co B tank unit and combat support from 66-73 that was stationed in Three Rivers, I knew of Jim for many years as alot of the fellows whom were in the unit when we moved to area when my dad took over as 1sgt of the unit. Jim also worked for 1st National bank in TR. His service will be held Nov 2nd at the local Saganash Golf course in TR. RIP Jim and thank you for your service.

10/08/2024

Once again, I want to thank all those that attended our reunion on Saturday. If you were there, your program has a list of the 2024 Officers and Trustees. That will also be the 2025 Officers and Trustees, as voted on by the majority at the reunion. I cannot thank the committee enough, for the fine job they did, once again. The ladies of the decorating committee stepped up and did a fine job with the decorations and and the handling of all the prizes this year. THANK YOU LADIES. You did an exceptional job.
Please frequent the Salted Words link on this FB page to make your purchases of our 246 ARMOR products, which are all top-quality items. Custom made to your liking, too !!!
Everyone have a safe and healthy winter up here.🙏 See y'all next year. 😎👍

10/07/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/g6fnMGHTb3pHYHAD/

Compliments of George Ghirardi.

10/06/2024

I just want to say THANK YOU AND TANK YOU, to everyone that attended our 30th Reunion tonight. I hope you all had a good time. There were some new faces there that I really hope to see again next year. 😎👍

09/25/2024

Hello people. We are not getting a real good return on the RSVP's for the reunion !!! We need a headcount by Sept 27. It has been discussed in the past, but if the interest is no longer there, we very well will not have any more reunions !!! 😩😣😩

09/14/2024

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the passing of another comrade. James Culverhouse has passed away. Thank you for your Service James.

View James "Jim" Culverhouse's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

09/11/2024

HELLO to all. If you are planning on attending our 246 Reunion on Oct.5, and do not know what to wear, here is a real good suggestion : click on the link Posted here for "salted words". It shows all the shirts, caps, mugs, etc., that is available for our 30th Reunion ! Get your order in NOW, so it will be ready for you to wear that evening ! Don't wait, or time will not be on your side for Oct.5 ! This is a casual dress event, anyway, but some kind of clothing is a must !!! 🤣So, please take a look see. 🧐Tank you. 😎👍

09/09/2024

Today is Sept. 9, 2024. So, first of all, never forget 9/11. Honor and remember those that lost their lives that day, and since that day. Secondly, we are getting close to our 246 Armor Association 30th Reunion. If you have not yet rec'd your invite, please email me your address so we can get one to you. We need the RSVP's returned by Sept.28th to get a good count for the dinners. We can take a few walk-ins, too. Tank you.
Gary Sternaman, [email protected]

09/02/2024

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend being it the last hoohray of the summer time /warm weather as it sounds like maybe fall is on its way. Agian be safe and enjoy your family and friends for wonderful weekend.