Former Executive Chef at the Pentagon Sets the Stage to Honor Veterans at Oakwood Common


DEARBORN, MI--(Marketwired - Nov 3, 2014) - On Tuesday morning, November 11, nearly 40 residents of Oakwood Common will be honored at a special breakfast to commemorate Veterans Day. The residents, both women and men, are U.S. military veterans who served the country during wartime and peacetime since World War II.

Setting the stage for the special event is Steve Berry, Oakwood Common's dining services general manager, who understands firsthand the significance and importance of honoring these veterans. 

Also a veteran, Berry retired in 1996 as a Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army following 24 years of service in the U.S. and overseas. His final 10 years were spent as executive chef at the Pentagon, serving under five U.S. Secretaries of Defense.

"At the Pentagon, I had the opportunity to serve presidents, secretaries of defense, generals, and high ranking officials from other countries," said Berry. "However, nothing is more special than planning this breakfast for veterans at Oakwood Common. It's a highlight of my year."

According to Berry, veterans and their guests will be seated in the campus' formal dining room before an honor guard from Romulus High School marches in to present and post the colors and flags. Following the singing of God Bless America, an official welcome and invocation, everyone will be treated to a full breakfast.

Berry described it as a "soldier's plate of food" that includes a fruit cup, scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, hash browns, English muffins, biscuits and toast. The breakfast will also include servings of creamed ground beef with toast points, a familiar fare to military.

Veterans representing the different service branches will be individually recognized during the event. Among attendees will be World War II Army veteran Thomas Kopke, a 23-year resident of Oakwood Common who served in the 88th Division in Italy. U.S. Navy veterans Milton Feistel and Elmer Ligner both served during World War II. Feistel served on the U.S.S. Adams in the Pacific while Ligner served stateside, helping to set up the first department for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM).

"These veterans have a lot of memories from their service that they've carried with them for a lifetime," added Berry, who has a few of his own. One of Berry's more lighthearted stories is about the late General Norman Schwarzkopf, the Gulf War commander who was known as Stormin' Norman.

"When General Schwarzkopf would come into the Pentagon dining room, he'd ask for one of everything on the menu and a Diet Coke, adding that he was watching his weight," said Berry.

It is expected that Berry will be prepared to honor Oakwood Common's veterans' requests and more during the Veterans Day breakfast.

About Oakwood Common
Oakwood Common offers one and two bedroom senior living apartments located at 16351 Rotunda Drive, within a beautiful 29-acre community that includes exquisite landscaping, nature trails and scenic views along the historic Rouge River Gateway in Dearborn. Oakwood Common apartments, available with flexible payment options, offer exceptional amenities for independent living and can be readily customized. Assisted living and a comprehensive rehabilitation and skilled nursing center are also available for those with additional needs. For more information and to arrange tours, call 800-642-4663 or visit www.OakwoodCommon.org.

Contact Information:

Media Contacts
Mary Granata
Oakwood Common
313-253-9583


Margaret Blohm, APR
Margaux & Associates, LLC
313-406-3467

Oakwood Common's Dining Services General Manager, Steve Berry, displays his Army uniform and memorabilia from 24 years of military service.