The Grand Rapids Civil War Round Table is proud to welcome a new speaker, Bruce Kalish, with his program, “The Maltese Cross: an introduction to the storied lives of CW veterans buried in the cemetery of the Michigan Soldiers’ Home 1886-1945.” Bruce will weave the history of the home cemetery with the stories of the “boys in blue” buried there both inspiring and tragic.
Bruce Kalish is a graduate of the University of WI-Milwaukee and two seminaries. January 2026 marks his retirement from 50 years of vocational ministry as an international worker, pastor, and chaplain. Since 2012 he has served the Michigan Veteran Homes-Grand Rapids as their healthcare chaplain. In the move to the new skilled nursing building following 2021, he made it his mission to save, restore, and organize the 140 years of the home’s historical archives. Mission accomplished. He lives with his wife, Patty, and our two dogs in the Riverside Gardens area of Grand Rapids.
On April 17, 1861, Virginia became the eighth state to secede from the Union. The vote was eighty-eight to fifty-five. Virginia's decision was crucial to the South, due to its large population, critical geographic position, and high industrial capacity.
"War loses a great deal of romance after a soldier has seen his first battle... It is a classical maxim that it is sweet and becoming to die for one's country; but whoever has seen the horrors of a battlefield feels that it is far sweeter to live for it."
~ Confederate General John S. Mosby
"We talked the matter over and could have settled the war in thirty minutes had it been left to us."
~ A Rebel soldier
after fraternizing with a Yankee soldier between the lines
On November 8, 1864, Abraham Lincoln was elected to his second term as president of the United States, gathering ten times the number of electoral votes as Peace Democrat George McClellan, former commander of the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln's opponents were confident of his defeat, given severe Union battle losses and sagging morale of the summer. But when Sherman won Atlanta in September, Lincoln's campaign was revitalized, and his victory was imminent.
Membership fees for the 2025-2026 season are $30.00.
Checks can be made out to GRCWRT.
Get your membership/renewal form on our website
membership page or at one of our meetings.
Dues are based on the meeting year, September - June.
We are always looking for new speakers. If you would like to give a presentation to the GRCWRT, or can recommend someone, please contact our program director.
Wednesday
January 21, 2026
Bruce Kalish
The Maltese Cross:
An introduction to the storied lives of CW veterans buried in the cemetery of the Michigan Soldiers’ Home
1886-1945
We Meet At:
Orchard View Church of God
2777 Leffingwell Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Located at the southwest corner of
3 Mile Road NE and Leffingwell Avenue NE
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Program begins at 7:00 pm
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Grand Rapids Michigan Home for Veterans
