ROYAL OAK, Mich. (Tribune News Service) — Art Fishman, a Navy veteran who served in the Pacific in WWII, had been involved in the planning of the city's WWII memorial for 10 years.

On Thursday, the first phase of the project was dedicated and Fishman, 95, was there.

"As you walk on these bricks, you're walking with the Greatest Generation," Fishman said.

The first phase of the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial includes more than 1,400 Walk of Honor paver bricks, a statute, flag poles for the branches of the military, the footing for a Wall of Stars and more statues, and the first two boulders in the War in Words.

Construction began last year.

The memorial honors the efforts and sacrifice of the WWII veterans who fought in the war and those on the home front, including the original Rosie the Riveters, said John Maten, president of the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial.

"We're well known for being the Arsenal of Democracy, but the entire state contributed in so many ways," Maten said.

Original Rosie the Riveters like Virginia Rusch, 96, helped make combat planes in Michigan.

"... I soldered cones for the planes," said Rusch, who is from Detroit. "(The memorial) brings back memories. I went through a lot."

The site represents the state and all Michiganians, especially the 15,458 who made the ultimate sacrifice, officials said.

"Every day we lose another of our World War Two veterans," said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, who was at the dedication ceremony. "Soon they will no longer be with us but they will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts, and we will always have a place here 13 Mile and Woodward to come."

George Leland, 98, flew B-24 bombers manufactured at Henry Ford's Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti. He flew in 28 combat missions in the European theater.

The memorial, he said, is "great, lovely. I'm just proud to be able to be here."

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, whose husband, Sgt. Ryan Friedrichs, was in the Army, would like the memorial to serve as a reminder when people drive or walk by the site of what war means, she said Thursday.

"That is what this memorial represents to me as a military spouse and as the Michigan secretary of state: a reminder to all of us of the ongoing and never-ending sacrifice that so many of you here today as service members, veterans and your families have made," Benson said.

The late-U.S. Rep. John Dingell was a WWII veteran, said U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, who attended the gathering.

"You know why this memorial matters?" Dingell said. "It's the stories. It's the memories. We need to remind all generations of the men and women who won one of the most important moments in history protecting our freedoms."

Sisters Joan Webb and Pat Maslowsky brought their granddaughter and great-grandchildren to honor the sisters' father, Burt Miner. Miner, a WWII veteran, flew 30 missions in a B-17 bomber, including one over Normandy. He died in 2009.

They've been waiting for the memorial for years.

"To see it here today is just really touching," Maslowsky said. "The momentum I hope really grows with every person here to share the word to make more donations."

U.S. Army's Phillip Flegel, one of seven brothers who enlisted, four in World War II, and Phillip and two others in the Korean War, tried to sum up the moment and the significance of the memorial.

"I guess you can't really describe it, really, you know," he said. "I guess it's almost a privilege to come home. I just don't think people realize what war is, basically. Our television people glamorize it. There's nothing glamorous about it."

The next phase of the memorial, for which organizers are raising funds, is the Wall of Stars.

Volunteer, donate or learn more about the memorial.

Francis Masters, 101, was at the ceremony, she said, on behalf of WWII veterans and home front workers.

"Right after high school, I heard they were building a plant in Willow Run, so I jumped at the chance," said Masters. "I said, 'I want to help the American people; we want to win this war.' "

Masters had two brothers in military service, she said. She wasn't in the military, but she joined the war effort.

"... I did my job riveting airplanes — B-24s," she said.

Daniel Mears contributed.

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