SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED

Veterans Affairs Offices hope to offer benefits to more vets in 2023

of burial services, including headstones, markets, burial flags, and a $300 burial allotment for those who qualify.

One of the Grand Traverse office’s most successful efforts already this year was a $50,000 grant to provide dental services to veterans.

“The first one we served was a 99-yearold World War II Battle of the Bulge veteran,” recalls Roof. “He was living on a $1,200 a month Social Security check and couldn’t afford dental care. He hadn’t eaten solid food in two years.”

By the Numbers

That veteran is one of many who has sought out the expertise of the Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs Office. In 2022, Roof’s office saw 1,754 office visits, including 447 from new clients. “Not only was there an increase in office visits in 2022, but a substantial increase in new clients,” says Roof. His office also serves Leelanau County one day a week and had 143 visits last year, including 30 new clients.

Roof attributes the rise in office visits to recent radio and TV advertising and events, many of which have been done through a Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency MVAA grant. The grant allowed Roof to organize the first-ever free Veterans Concert at Turtle Creek Stadium and several lunch and learn events to educate veterans about benefits.

Roof says about 42 percent of those 2022 visits were from Vietnam War veterans. Gulf War veterans made up 32 percent, while peacetime veterans totaled 15 percent. Korean War veterans accounted for 7 percent of the visits, and World War II veterans made up the remaining 4 percent.

Meanwhile, nearby Kalkaska County has a surprisingly large number of veterans. Those who have served in the armed forces make up roughly 10.9 percent of the county’s 17,939 residents, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. That’s about one-and-a-half times the rate for the entire state (6.6 percent) and the nation (6.9 percent).

“The number of veterans has been steadily growing since I began here in 2014,” says Veterans Affairs Director Melanie Pauch. “It’s always run about 10 percent of the population.”

To the south, Kathy Cline and former Army veteran Charles Schmidt are kept busy working to serve Wexford County veterans from their office in Cadillac.

“We see a few World War II veterans who are in their early nineties, but the majority we serve are Vietnam War veterans,” says Cline, a retired police officer. “They have a lot of problems with Agent Orange and PTSD. We don’t see a lot of younger veterans from the Gulf War. They tend to file their claims online.”

Getting the Word Out

All three northern Michigan veterans affairs officers agree that spreading the word about their services is one of their biggest obstacles, and that it’s pretty common for vets to be unaware of the benefits that might be available to them.

In Kalkaska County, Pauch sends out postcards and uses newspaper ads to urge veterans to stop by her office and see what benefits they are eligible for. She also attends the American Legion’s monthly coffee hour held at 9am on the second Wednesday of each month at the Senior Center.

“They have a number of interesting guests who give a presentation,” she says. “They’ve had health experts and an estate planning attorney.”

Some of the key issues that veterans face in her county include transitioning to civilian life, finding a job, homelessness, mental wellness care, suicide prevention, and transportation to VA appointments for rural veterans.

Sometimes veterans are reluctant to apply for benefits because they feel they are taking something away from fellow vets, according to Pauch, whose husband is a Vietnam veteran. It may be spouses or children who urge the vets to take advantage of the benefits they have earned, she explains. She encourages folks not to wait—life-changing services might be within reach.

“I love what I do and I want to see veterans get the benefits they are entitled to,” says Pauch.

Where to Connect with Your Local VA

In addition to being available by phone, email, and in person at their offices, each of the VA departments plans to have special programming and meetings over the course of the summer.

Grand Traverse County: Roof will be hosting a series of veterans benefits sessions this summer at the VFW Post #2780 at 3400 Veterans Drive in Traverse City. The two-hour sessions are set for 5pm on July 26, 6pm on Aug. 23, and 8am on Sept. 30. “Come enjoy a free meal on us while learning about benefits available to you,” is his message to veterans

Kalkaska County: Pauch would like veterans and the general public to know that the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial will be at Kalkaska’s Railroad Square Aug. 18-20. The Memorial will be set up beside the park’s pavilion. Hours and other details are yet to be confirmed.

Wexford County: Cline and Schmidt of Wexford County will be at a booth at the upcoming Northwest Michigan Military Veterans Expo on Aug. 5 at The Wex in Cadillac. “This is all geared around veterans,” says Cline. “We expect 75 to 80 booths and many elected officials to be in attendance. And it’s all free.”

The first expo was held in 2019 and was deemed a success, but the pandemic canceled the event until last year, when another strong turnout took place.

“Support for veterans in this community is really phenomenal,” says Schmidt, who served as a forward observer in Operation Iraqi Freedom before retiring in 2019. “Of all the places I was stationed, this has been the strongest support of any region.”

JULY

Summer 2023

JUNE 30

Mat Kearney (LIMITED TICKETS)

JUNE 30 & Julius Caesar - Interlochen Shakespeare Festival

JULY 1, 7 & 8

JULY 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, World Youth Symphony Orchestra & AUG. 6

JULY 11 “Collage” - A Multidisciplinary Showcase

JULY 12 Styx (LIMITED TICKETS)

JULY 20 Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

JULY 21 Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

JULY 22 Detroit Symphony Orchestra

SUMMER 2023

JULY 23 Five for Fighting

JULY 24 Donny Osmond

JULY 27 The Temptations & The Four Tops

AUG. 3-6

Ragtime - High School Musical Production

AUG. 9 Dark Star Orchestra - Grateful Dead Tribute

AUG. 10 Train (LIMITED TICKETS)

AUG. 11

SUMMER 2023

Lindsey Stirling (LIMITED TICKETS)

AUG. 17 The Lone Bellow Trio

SUMMER 2023

SUMMER 2023

AUG. 18 The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA

AUG. 19

SEPT. 1

The Beach Boys

Brandi Carlile (SOLD OUT) interlochen.org/tickets

For the full lineup visit: Food and beverages available onsite—including beer and wine at select Kresge shows!

Interlochen Center for the Arts gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors for their continued support: saturday

GUSMACKER: Otsego County Sportsplex, Gaylord, June 23-25. Today features a Slam Dunk Contest. macker.com

NIGHTCRAWLER HUNT & TAKE A KID

FISHING: Mineral Springs Park, Frankfort. On Fri., June 23 at 9:30pm, a Nightcrawler Hunt will be held. Bring a flashlight, rain gear & a bucket. Then on Sat., June 24 at 8am, enjoy a day of fishing. Kids receive a free t-shirt, pizza, drinks & sweet treats. Bring a fishing rod if you have one. 231352-7251. Free.

GET TO KNOW YOUR (NON-HUMAN)

NEIGHBORS! HIKE: 9am, Houdek Dunes Natural Area, Leland. Learn how can you connect with birds, animals, plants, rocks & fungi that are surrounding you at your homeland. This walk will launch a 3-part exploration into the tools & techniques used by top naturalists Tom Brown, Jon Young & animal communication expert George Bumann. Free. leelanauconservancy.org/events

TRAMPS REMOTE CONTROL AIRSHOW: 9am-4pm, TRAMPS Airfield, TC. Featuring a variety of aircraft from trainers to jets, helicopters to drones. Amazing pilots from around the area fly here. traversemodelpilots.com/2023/01/06/2023-tramps-airshow

THE FRIENDS OF IPL USED BOOK SALE: 9am-2pm, Interlochen Public Library. Thousands of books in dozens of genres for adults, teens & children, along with DVDs, CDs, puzzles & games. Prices for adult & teen books are $2 for hardcover; $1 for softcover. Children’s books are half that amount. A $5 per bag sale will begin at noon today. 231-276-6767.

PETOSKEY OPEN CHESS CLASSIC: 9:30am, Carnegie Building, Petoskey. Free for ages 8-18; $10 adults. Pre-register. Signin: 8-9am; first round at 9:30am. calendar. petoskeylibrary.org/default/Register/202306-24-0930-Petoskey-Open-Chess-Classic

24TH ANNUAL CHARLEVOIX SUMMER

ART SHOW: 10am-5pm, East Park, Downtown Charlevoix.

----------------------

ARTATTACK - CRAFT SHOW: 10am5pm, Pellston Historical Museum grounds, Pellston. festivalnet.com/90297/PellstonMichigan/Craft-Shows/ArtAttack

BAY HARBOR CLASSIC CAR & BOAT

FESTIVAL: 10am-4pm, Bay Harbor Village. A collection of the finest classic, future classic & rare cars, & boats in the country. This year’s show will feature up to five Duesenbergs & Ford GTs. Parade line up for cars is at 9:30am. Free. bayharborcarandboatfestival.com

EXPLORE WHALEBACK NATURAL AREA

HIKE: Explore the Whaleback Natural Area just south of Leland at 10am. Slow, easy pace. Stop to explore, discussing theme often. Free. leelanauconservancy.org/events

----------------------

MACKINAW CITY PREMIER ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am-6pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.

OPEN STUDIO: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in art for all ages. New projects are offered each week. Free. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/open-studio-june-24

----------------------

RAINBOW RUN: 10am, Hull Park, TC. TART Trails & Up North Pride are hosting the first-ever Rainbow Run, a color fun run & fundraiser around the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. To celebrate the trail systems & the Northern Michigan 2SLGBTQ+ Community during Pride Month, join together at Hull Park to enjoy music & refreshments before & after the run. $25/$30. traversetrails.org/ event/rainbow-run

SHOWY LADY SLIPPERS & ICE HIKE AT TEICHNER PRESERVE: 10am, Good Harbor Bay Watershed. Explore how the most recent glaciation created the habitat for the Showy Lady Slippers & the glacial geomorphology features of Good Harbor Bay Watershed. You will also observe the floristic components along the boardwalk with focus on the Showy Lady Slippers. Free. leelanauconservancy.org/events/showy-lady-slippers-and-ice-hike-at-teichner-preserve

EAST JORDAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL: East Jordan, June 21-25. Today includes the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, Grand Parade, Lip Sync Contest, Grand Festival Raffle, fireworks & more. eastjordanfreedomfestival.org

ATA MARTIAL ARTS OF GT SUMMER

CARNIVAL: 1-3pm, 1127 Centre St., TC. Games board breaks, water balloons, food, raffle & more. Free. fb.me/e/10NP0Xr4T

----------------------

BREGE BOOK SIGNING EVENT: 1pm, Horizon Books, TC. Author Karen Bell-Brege & illustrator Darrin Brege will sign their book “Biggie and Birdie are Different (so what).” horizonbooks.com/event/brege-book-signing-event

CADILLAC FOOTLITERS PRESENT

“ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL”: 2pm & 7pm, Elenbaas Performing Arts Center, McBain High School. $12

Stroll the Streets of Boyne City every Friday through Labor Day from 6-9pm to hear lots of live music and enjoy entertainment, along with children’s activities and more. Fri., June 30 will feature The Pistol Whips, Jazz North (pictured), Monty & The Loper Family, Steel & Wood, Yankee Station, Bruce Walker, Terry Coveyou, Don River and Friends, and others on Main St. To see the schedule of performers and venues, visit: boynecitymainstreet.com/ event/131-3/ advance tickets - available at Brinks Art & Frame, downtown Cadillac & Horizon Books, downtown Cadillac. $14 advance online. $15 door. cadillacfootliters.com/tickets

----------------------

VETERANS INSPIRATIONAL ART SHOW: 4-8pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Featuring over 100 pieces of art created by 32 artists. vivartshow.com

LIVE MUSIC IN BARR PARK: 6-8pm, Crystal Mountain, Barr Park, Thompsonville. Featuring Andrew McQuillen. crystalmountain.com/event/barr-park-fridays

STAR PARTY: 6pm, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Dune Climb, Empire. Drop-in telescope & info stations will be available for you to visit. Stop by the ranger greeter table in the parking lot at the Dune Climb for more info about the stations & their locations. Free. nps.gov/planyourvisit/ event-details.htm?id=9B8880B7-D2A3-D4F8024112816CB06AA7

THE HACKWELLS: 6-9pm, Lavender Hill Farm, Boyne City. Enjoy this Americana/ folk/country band from Detroit who sings about prison graveyards, flea market beauty queens, & other people’s faults. $30. lavenderhillfarm.com

TC PIT SPITTERS VS. MADISON MALLARDS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pitspitters/schedule