More than 500 people honored and celebrated Michigan service members, veterans and veteran advocates Nov. 4 at the Michigan Military & Veterans Gala held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
The gala was hosted by the National Guard Association of Michigan (NGAM) in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) – the state’s coordinating agency for Michigan’s more than 530,000 veterans and their families. The event was held at The Suburban Collection Showplace and featured a series of awards presented to those who have not only served our state and nation in uniform, but those who advocate on their behalf, according to a press release.
Remarks were led by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan DMVA; MVAA Director Brian L. Love; and T.J. Pierce, executive director of NGAM. Presenting this year’s awards were U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Bryan Teff, commander of the Michigan Air National Guard and assistant adjutant general of the Michigan DMVA; U.S. Army Col. Ravindra Wagh, commander of the Michigan Army National Guard and assistant adjutant general of the Michigan DMVA; and Arsenal of Democracy Chapter of AUSA Director of Government Affairs, Elizabeth Gomez-Jazowski, and Director of Corporate
Affairs, Elaine Taylor. The gala’s master of ceremonies were U.S. Air Force Col. Micaela Brancato, commander, 217th Air Operations Group, 110th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard and MVAA Director Brian L. Love.
The following individuals received awards during the ceremony: Veteran of the Year – Francis “Sonny” Putvin; Veteran-Friendly Volunteer of the Year – Erin Maroni; Veteran Service Provider of the Year – Denise Marie Formolo; Community Outreach and Regional Engagement – Kara Fields, Michigan Army National Guard Recruiter of the Year – SFC Brian M. Cattaneo; Michigan Air National Guard Recruiter of the Year – TSgt Jacob Bennette; DMVA Employee of the Year – Dawn Shinaver; and VA Employee of the Year – Carlos F. Castillo. Also, the MVAA & Trust Fund Exceptional Service was awarded to the Hillsdale County Department of Veterans Affairs.
For more information about gala winners, visit www.michigan.gov/mvaa/news/2023/11/04/giving-back-meet-our-2023-michigan-
military-and-veterans-gala-award-winners.
Whitmer administration proposal plans free access to state parks for Michigan veterans and service members
In a proposal championed by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), the Whitmer administration plans to give all Michigan veterans, active-duty service members and Michigan National Guard members free lifetime access to Michigan state parks, according to a press release.
The proposal will be included in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s state budget proposal for the next fiscal year (FY25). The current fiscal year ends Sept. 30, 2024.
“Michigan’s veterans are the best of us, and we can never do enough to live up to the sacrifices they have made,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who made the announcement on Veterans Day.
“In next year’s budget proposal, we plan to give every one of Michigan’s 530,000 veterans free lifetime access to a state park. We are proud of this step forward to better serve veterans and we will continue making Michigan the best place to be a veteran.”
Michigan will become the third state in the country to offer this benefit, after Oklahoma and Maine. With more than 100 state parks in Michigan, veterans have plenty of choices where they can get out and enjoy the state’s lakes, forests, trails and outdoor beauty.
“Reconnecting with nature and enjoying the outdoors can be a great form of therapy for veterans, particularly those with PTSD, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues,” said MVAA Director Brian L. Love.
“Giving our veterans free access to Michigan’s beautiful state parks reflects our ongoing commitment to support their wellbeing and improve their quality of life.” For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mvaa.
Upcoming events
• Holly American Legion Post 149 to host Vet to Vet Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at 408 S. Saginaw, Holly. All veterans and their significant others welcome. Food provided. For more information, call 810-348-9960.
• The Sashabaw Plains Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution to host Wreaths Across America on Wreaths Across America Day Dec. 16, at Lakeview Cemetery, at 6150 White Lake Road, Clarkston. The community can sponsor a wreath for one or more of the 1,142 veterans that are buried in the cemetery. Wreaths are $17 each. If you have a relative that is a veteran in the cemetery, you may have the wreath placed on his/her gravesite. All are welcome to attend. For more information and order forms, call 248-514-1729 or email jkhorses@comcast.net. Nov. 27 is the last day to order wreaths.
The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events and include a phone number for readers to call for more information.
