Community Outreach and Regional Engagement
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November 05, 2021
An Ann Arbor grandfather did a "buddy check" on more than 100 of his fellow veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic, paying special attention to the homebound.
A National Guard member and mother of four uncovered and cleaned veteran headstones in an Owosso cemetery over Fourth of July.
And the son of Grand Rapids veteran started a Michigan nonprofit that has contributed more than $100,000 to support veterans and dependents.
These remarkable people are just three of 11 recipients in the first-ever round of awards from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency that recognize veterans, veteran advocates and, in one case, a veteran-friendly county. In the week leading up to Veterans Day, the awards represent an opportunity for us to honor and celebrate our veterans and those who advocate on their behalf for their continuing service and sacrifices.
The awards will be presented Nov. 6 at the inaugural Michigan Military & Veterans Gala at Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
Here is more on the awardees, who were chosen by an independent panel of judges and will be featured in the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth for the next year:
VETERAN OF THE YEAR: DAVE DRAPER
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) is hosting the Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 9:30-11 a.m., at Heritage Hall in downtown Lansing.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Less than 100 tickets remain available for the 2024 Michigan Military & Veterans Gala, Saturday, Nov. 2, at the L.V. Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids. The Gala is the state's premier event that honors both those who have served our state and nation in uniform and those who advocate on their behalf.
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) has received a letter and Certificate of Appreciation from the Director the United States Army, Major General Edward J. Chrystal Jr., recognizing the agency for faithfully representing our Nation by selflessly hosting events to thank and honor Vietnam-era veterans and their families.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) hosted their fourth annual Veteran-Friendly Employers Innovation Conference for Michigan employers committed to the recruitment, training and retention of military veterans. More than 75 attendees from nearly 70 businesses from across Michigan joined fellow employers to learn how they can better serve their veteran employees and how to best recruit veterans to join their organizations.