The Life Chest on Veterans Radio

To hear the show click here!

Our CEO Donna Yost was honored to be featured on Veterans Radio on Sunday – The #1 Veterans Radio Show in the Country! Radio host Bob Gould is truly a remarkable and vivacious spirit – a Life Chest Lifer who truly understands the importance of leaving a legacy and cherishing the stories and mementos of veterans. Cant wait to be on the show again!

Detroit News

See the full article here!

Getting pumped

The ever-glam Donna Yost hosted a fun dinner party at Forest Lake Country Club in Bloomfield Hills last week to celebrate the release of her book, “Pumptitude: My Journey from CEO Wife to CEO Life.” In the book, Donna, who’s married to Art Van Furniture CEO Kim Yost, writes about how she transitioned from being “the woman behind the man,” to running her own successful business, The Life Chest, which produces elegant memory boxes.

The book traces her personal experiences while offering tips to women who may be pursuing a new career path or entering the workforce for the first time. “We give them the skills and courage they need in a fun, but informative format,” Yost said. The book reveals her humble beginning raising chickens and wearing rubber boots on a farm in Alberta, Canada, through today, where she is in boardrooms clad in her favoriteChristian Louboutin pumps. For information, or to purchase “Pumptitude,” visit pumptitude.com.

Macomb Daily

Remember our new Life Chest Lifer Claude Wood? Well, The Life Chest and Claude’s story had the privilege of being featured in local newspaper The Macomb Daily by Linda May!

Read the full article here!

“Freedom Military Life Chests –- repositories for treasured memorabilia –- were recently presented to 55 veterans from the Tri-County area. They received them the day before Veterans Day at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 9 building in Detroit.

The Life Chest company of Troy put on the program and donated the chests.

“Veterans were selected based upon their service both during and after their military time,” Mike Sand, of Fraser, said.

Macomb County vets who received chests included Al Opra, Laura Rios, Jerry Van de Vyver, Dave Trevino, Phil Gannia, Paul Palazzolo, Steven Mrozek, Tara Perez, Keith Edwards, Joe Rheker, Steven Gerebics, Robert Slavko and Therese Wrobel.

Sand received one, as did George Sheppard III.

On Veterans Day, Sheppard gave his chest to Claude Wood who is the Fraser-Reid Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6691 charter commander. Wood celebrated his 97th birthday on that day. Sheppard’s father was also a charter member of the post in 1946.

“George gifted his chest to a special friend and fellow veteran, Claude Wood. Claude is a 97-year-old World War II veteran and a 1946 charter member of the Fraser VFW Post 6691. George’s father, George Sheppard Jr., was also a charter member. Claude and George III have both dedicated their lives to supporting our military and veterans. At a surprise birthday recognition and celebration, George presented his special gift to Claude. A very emotional moment indeed,” Sand said.

The chests have pewter emblems representing each branch of the armed forces and the Great Seal of the United States.

 

 

“This is definitely a family heirloom to be passed from generation to generation, one of the finest holiday presents anyone could ask for. We cannot thank The Life Chest company enough for such a gift,” Sand said. “It was a very nice gesture on their part and I kind of look at the chest as a cross between a footlocker and a hope chest. I have put some very special things in mine such as the pen Governor Engler used to lend the State of Michigan’s support to the Michigan Vietnam Memorial Monument.

Sand’s chest contains a U.S. flag displayed by four Detroit mayors, an autographed book depicting Vietnam memorials in all 50 states, keepsakes from his parents, challenge coins, military patches, audio tapes, DVDs, and books related to Sand’s Vietnam War experiences.

“It’s sort of my personal time capsule,” he said.”

Thank you to Linda May for the great article!

Mike’s Life Chest Story

“With the development of The Life Chest I now realize that these moments and stories can be shared by family and friends because the silent voice of each item is a piece of me… the essence of who I am. Thank you for giving the vehicle to share the path I have walked and the path I will explore.”

– Mike Elliott, Golden Knight and founder of The All Veteran Group

Henry’s Life Chest Story

“Since before he was born I’ve been committed to saving the important pieces of my son’s life in his Life Chest. In under 3 years we have filled his Life Chest with special memories and items that he will be able to look back on for years to come, these will help remind him of how he grew into the person he is and to see where his interests were from day one. In Henry’s Life Chest so far we have his ultrasound photos, hospital bracelet from the day he was born, his first skateboard shoes, the first golf tee he broke, a ton of photos, a candle from his birthday cake, and more. The Life Chest is a great conversation starter in our home, but it is truly when we open it up and show what’s inside that makes our visitors smile!”

– Agata Wysokinski

Paul’s Life Chest Story

“I’ve been using my Freedom Life Chest to chronicle not only my Army service in Vietnam, but my current activities on behalf of other veterans. In my Life Chest I have my Silver Star and my Purple Heart, other awards and honors, photos from my time in Vietnam, and a newspaper article from 1986 where I’m named as then-mayor Coleman Young’s first member of a gaming commission. I also have pictures of past Veterans Day Parades in Detroit, articles talking about the Veterans Memorial Park dedication next to the Chapter 9 VVA,  and a clipping of a newspaper piece discussing a memorial dinner for Spec. Holly McGeogh, the only female soldier from Michigan killed in Iraq. I keep a picture of her because I’m her voice, and the voice for so many others who didn’t come home. That’s what drives me in all I do for the Chapter 9 VVA, for the city of Detroit, and for all veterans. My Freedom Life Chest represents not only me, but everything dear to me.”

– Paul Pallazzolo