Congressional Gold Medal honoree celebrated

PONTIAC, Mich. – Several years ago, Calvin Shepherd and a group of fellow World War II Marines were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. Shepherd's family gathered Sunday to mark that occasion and celebrate his life.

Shepherd, a longtime resident of Inkster, is 92 years old. He was honored as one of our country's first African-American Marines.

Shepherd is the elder statesman of the Shepherd family, and Sunday he was the focus of attention as members of his family gathered from a dozen states across the country for a reunion.

"I feel wonderful," Shepherd said. (It's an) uplifting experience. I can't really describe it -- crest of elation, really."

The celebration was held at the Monument of Faith in Pontiac.