Cel Rose Solak displays a board full of memories from her more than 39 years volunteering in support of veterans.
HEIGHTS — Cel Rose Solak has been volunteering in support of veterans most of her life, for a total of 37,641 volunteer hours over 39 years.
“I got involved because of my brother,” she said. “He went to Vietnam as a Marine and was killed there after about a month. I do it in his honor.”
Solak became involved with the AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, about 10 years ago. This free federal program assists adults 55 and older to find a volunteer opportunity that interests them. Solak has been active as a volunteer in her community since she was a young woman.
“I started volunteering in 1981 at the Allen Park VA Medical Center,” she said. “It has since closed, but there is a monument there.”
Now she volunteers at the John Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit. She has served in several roles, from being an medical escort, office assistant, to palliative care (hospice) and working in the center’s nursing home.
Solak also volunteers for the Michigan Veterans Foundation serving homeless vets. For the past 20 years, she has joined the Vietnam Veterans of America Local 269, the American Veterans Post 290, and other groups in serving special dinners to veterans.
“I go there and help serve, and sometimes I make them pancakes on Sunday,” she said.
Cel Rose Solak holds a photo of her late brother, a Marine who was killed in Vietnam.
Solak’s late husband, Walter, was also an Army veteran. They had three sons together. Over the years Solak’s family has joined in her volunteer duties.
“My husband and my son used to go with me,” she said. “We went on picnics with the veterans and took them shopping and stuff. All my children volunteered with me in one way or another. My youngest son volunteered with me the most. He had over 300 service hours. Now my granddaughter is joining in.”
Solak has become good friends with some of the veterans.
“One volunteered with me for more than 20 years,” she said. “He was in the Navy. But now he has a bad heart and doesn’t volunteer with me anymore, though he helps at his church. We are still good friends. I take him for his scheduled doctor appointments in Ann Arbor.”
Solak likes to get young people involved in support of veterans.
“I have students from St. Anselm’s (Dearborn Heights) come out to the VA to volunteer,” she said. “It’s a good experience. It’s good for them to learn what it means to be a veteran. I want the children to know about them, to honor them, and respect our flag.
“During Reading Month and on Veteran’s Day, I take veterans to the school, and we read to the children. They read books about Vietnam vets and the American flag and other stories. The students and I participate in ‘Make a Difference Day,’ collecting comfort items, and we distribute them to the homeless veterans, with the help of the Dearborn Heights Fire Department.
“On Flag Day, we help the Knights of Columbus with the disposal of old flags. A week before Memorial Day I go to the cemetery with the third- and fourth-graders from Highview Elementary School (Dearborn Heights). We have been doing that for over 20 years. We place flags on the veterans graves. With the help of the Michigan Veterans Foundation, we put on a little program and everything.”
Solak would encourage people to consider volunteering through the RSVP program.
“You meet a lot of nice people, and you do a lot of different activities,” she said. “Definitely volunteer at the VA. We go on outings, we go out to eat and to the movies. Join us!”
RSVP is sponsored in the tri-county area by Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan. Active volunteers receive benefits to recognize their donated time. Intersted adults can call to learn about opportunites helping in food banks, museums, in after school programs, hospitals and more.
Contact Angela Davis at rsvpwayne@ccsem.org or 810-294-8722 or go to https://www.ccsem.org/rsvp.