Kent County Veterans Honor Guard
To render Full Military Honors for any American veteran discharged by HONORABLE or UNDER HONORABLE CONDITIONS, within the immediate area of Kent County, Michigan.
This is the official Facebook page of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard
The following article was published by Healing in Arts.
Jodi is a fellow Veteran and a good friend of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard.
Courage Under Fire: The Story of Jodi Martinez
In every season of Art of Resilience, there are stories that remind us why this work matters. Veteran artist Jodi Martinez has faithfully participated in our veteran art program for several years. But one year, her journey took an unexpected and devastating turn.
Jodi’s apartment was destroyed by fire. She and her son escaped with just enough time to grab their cat. They lost everything else. Along with her personal belongings, her ArtPrize piece—months of work—was gone.
What could have ended her artistic vision instead revealed her resilience.
REBUILDING AFTER LOSS
In the months that followed, Jodi demonstrated courage. While navigating the challenges of starting over, she chose to remake her ArtPrize piece. She didn’t let defeat stop her; she kept moving forward.
That is resilience.
A MILITARY COMMUNITY STEPS IN
As a military family, we stepped up for Jodi in her time of need. Healing in Arts helped organize a fundraiser in partnership with veteran-owned business Painting with a Twist to help her get back on her feet. Artists and friends gathered not just to paint, but also to provide encouragement and financial support during a time of loss.
We showed up for one of our own, like we do on military bases at home and abroad.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Jodi’s story reminds us that resilience pushes forward in the midst of hardship. What began as tragedy became an opportunity for community support. In our veteran art program, we do more than exhibit artwork. We “bear one another’s burdens.” And we celebrate the courage we see in one another.
We are proud of you, Jodi. Your strength and creativity inspires all of us."
March 12 is a day you will want to remember. Share the details with Veterans in your family and community!
At 12 Noon on Saturday January 24th, a Kent County Veteran was laid to rest. Ten military Veterans attended the funeral. They didn't know the deceased, but were there to pay a final tribute by performing a Military Funeral Honors ceremony for their departed comrade. The temperature was 1. The wind chill was -12! Six of those individuals stood outside while the eulgy and a prayer were given and then Taps were sounded. A final salute of a three volly rifle firing was given. This is what the Veterans of the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard do. They honor fellow Veterans. Yes, they care about the weather, but they care more about ensuring fellow Veterans are paid the honor they earned by serving our Country.
Artistic Highlight
Veteran John Katerberg
John Katerberg, a Purple Heart recipient, joined our Healing in Arts veteran art exhibit in 2021. We were honored to showcase his striking large-scale paintings on brass panels—works created through a unique process in which John paints an image and then removes layers of paint, allowing light to shine off the metal beneath.
Displaying his work outdoors added an unexpected and powerful dimension. As the sun moved across the sky, the artwork evolved throughout the day—brilliant and reflective at sunrise, sharply illuminated at noon, and softly glowing at sunset. John’s first exhibit featured a stormy scene of the Grand Haven pier, perfectly suited to the shifting light. The piece was installed in the reflective pool at Veterans Memorial Park, where the environment became part of the artwork itself.
In the following two years, John was unsure if he could continue participating due to the high cost of materials—each brass panel cost $1,000. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and Kent County Veteran Services, we were able to help cover the cost of his art supplies, making it possible for him to continue creating and exhibiting his work.
In 2024, John graduated from our program and went on to exhibit independently at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum during ArtPrize, where he earned first place and won the Grand Prize. Today, John continues to paint and is preparing to open his own art gallery in Montague, Michigan, in 2026.
At Art of Resilience, our veteran art exhibit, we are deeply proud to have been part of John’s creative journey. His story reflects the heart of our mission: to honor veterans, amplify their voices, foster connection with fellow veterans and the community, and create spaces that inspire hope and healing.
In 2025, Healing in Arts offered 52 workshops and events, engaging more than 1,700 participants.
With your help, you can empower veterans like John to keep creating meaningful art.
A donation today brings encouragement and creative hope to people who need it.
Support Healing Through Art
Photos from Taps for Veterans's post
Today is National Wreaths Across America Day. The day is devoted to helping lay holiday wreaths on the graves of our nation's fallen veterans.
Tomorrow is not only the Army vs. Navy game, but also National Wreaths Across America Day!
More than two million volunteers and supporters who will gather to Remember, Honor, and Teach at more than 5,500 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad. Will you be one of them? Let us know where you're honoring our veterans!
Edit: updated the number of participating locations
84 Years later...We still honor the fallen.
Photos from 1st Infantry Division's post
Photos from Taps for Veterans's post
From the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard...we wish all our brother and sister Veterans a peaceful, safe and enjoyable Veterans Day. 🇺🇸
To all our Marine brothers and friends... Happy 250th Birthday!!
This year the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard has performed Military Funeral Honors for 371 Kent County Veterans. We continue to pay homage to our departed comrades. However, our ranks grow thinner. We are in need of and will certainly welcome more youthful Veterans to join our ranks and continue this vital service. You can contact us at: kent.county.vhg@gmail.com.
Photos from Taps for Veterans's post
Photos from Kent County Veterans Honor Guard's post
The Kent County Veterans Honor Guard conducted the Military Honors Funeral ceremony for four Veterans yesterday. We have now rendered this service 362 times this year and are extremely proud to perform this service for our fellow Veterans.
Photos from Taps for Veterans's post
A Kent County Veteran was laid to rest today. This marks the 358th time this year the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard has rendered Military Funeral Honors for one of It's comrades in arms.
Today the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard will have the honor and privlege of performing Military Funeral Honors for a deceased Veteran in Kent County Michigan. This is the 357th time this service has been rendered for Kent County Veterans. May the Good Lord bless and comfort our deceased comrade and his family.
The Kent County Veterans Honor Guard is an all volunteer organization, made up of Veterans, dedicated to honoring those who served. As of this morning the Kent County Veterans Honor Guard has performed Military Funeral Honors for 356 Veterans in 2025.
Featured ArtPrize Exhibit
Red Jeans Redemption
Red Jeans Redemption is an immersive art installation by Healing in Arts that amplifies the hidden stories of sexual trauma survivors. Created in collaboration with U.S. military veterans and community survivors, the exhibit features red jeans inscribed with survivor stories—sparking empathy, awareness, and cultural change.
Opportunities to Participate
1. Interactive Stations
Visitors are invited to reflect and engage by writing messages
of solidarity and hope.
2. Free Red Jeans Redemption Workshop (Jeans Provided) Participants are invited to record their own stories on jeans.
Date:
Friday, September 19 | 7-8:30PM
Location:
303 Monroe Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, 49503
(in the grass across from Devos Place)
3. Give to Support the Work
Your generosity helps Healing in Arts continue empowering survivors and create spaces for healing through art.
Join us to connection, create, and inspire - together.
Support Healing in Arts
The Kent County Veterans Honor Guard rendered Military Honors at 382 American Veteran funerals during 2024. Military Funeral Honors were rendered at 215 Veteran's funerals during the first half of 2025. We are proud and yet humbled to provide Veterans and their families a final Thank You for their service and sacrifices.
