When World War II veteran Joe Zikewich began his quest to create a memorial honoring American servicemen and women lost at sea, it was with reverence to his former shipmates on the U.S.S. Lexington.
Zikewich was aboard the Lexington in 1943, when the aircraft carrier was hit by a Japanese suicide plane, killing 47 of his fellow sailors.
Today, about 27 years after he began raising funds and cutting red tape to bring his dream of a memorial to fruition, the Lake Orion VFW member is about to reap the rewards of his efforts.
On Saturday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Zikewich plans to unveil what is the culmination of his deeply personal commitment — the Peacoat Memorial.
The memorial depicts an empty chair with a traditional Navy peacoat draped over the back and a white sailor cap lying on the seat of the chair. It is made of bronze and will eventually sit on a granite base.
Because the base has yet to arrive from the manufacturer, the Peacoat Memorial will be taken to the Orion Township Library after Saturday’s ceremony, where it will remain until next spring.
It will eventually be moved to its permanent site at the Orion Veterans Memorial on M-24.
Zikewich vividly recalls the day when the kamikaze plane struck.
‘We were under attack from a lot of suicide planes, and all our own planes were up,? he says. ‘We lost 47 great fellas that day, and I knew them all.
‘That is an experience I will never forget,? he says. ‘The Peacoat Memorial is a way to remember them and all Americans who were buried at sea during times of war — regardless of which branch they were in.?
Zikewich is still emotional when discussing the suicide attack — even more so when describing the funerals of his fallen comrades.
‘Burials at sea really tear you up,? he says. ‘You’re standing there with tears in your eyes, knowing that their moms and dads and families don’t even realize that their loved one is gone.?
Forgetting that day is not something Zikewich can, or even wants to do.
He still has a piece of the kamikaze plane that struck the Lexington.
‘I grabbed a little piece of it and made a necklace with it,? he says. ‘I still have it with me.?
Zikewich served on the Lexington from 1942-46, and was aboard when the ship was still being built. Commissioned in February of 1943, the carrier would become one of the U.S. Navy fleet’s longest-serving ships.
After being hit by the suicide plane, the Lexington went into dry dock for repairs.
After returning to sea, the ship would again be hit by enemy fire. This time by a Japanese torpedo that struck near the stern.
‘We lost our steering that time, but we were able to make it back to Pearl Harbor,? Zikewich recalls.
The Lexington would eventually serve for 49 years before being decommissioned, Zikewich says. During its time in service, Navy pilots would make more than 483,000 landings on its deck.
Zikewich doesn’t want all the credit for bringing the Peacoat Memorial to Lake Orion. He acknowledges his fellow veterans and the community for its considerable financial and moral support for the project.
‘I’m so proud of our post and everyone who helped,? he says. ‘With this memorial, I sincerely hope these men and their families will be remembered and get their much-due recognition.?
Saturday’s Veterans Day ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at the Orion Veterans Memorial on M-24.
All veterans, community members and their families are invited to attend.
In addition to the unveiling of the memorial, this year’s ceremony includes a tribute to Lake Orion veteran Raymond Plouhar.
The U.S. Marine sergeant died in Iraq on June 26, 2006. Members of his family are expected to attend the ceremony.
Members of the Lake Orion VFW and American Legion posts urge all residents to take a few moments on November 11, to visit the Orion Veterans Memorial and honor Sgt. Plouhar’s memory.
Local veterans also plan to plant a tree at the memorial to acknowledge the local Marine’s sacrifice to his country.