Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was on hand to present a very special award at the U.P. State Fair to Sons of The American Legion 5th Zone Commander Dennis Larson of Squadron 50 in Iron Mountain.
The Veterans Support Recognition Award was presented as part of the Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year program. Larson was recognized for his over 36 years of membership in the Sons at the squadron level and as past state detachment commander. Dennis has Served the U.P. Veterans at the Oscar Johnson VA Hospital as a volunteer for over 25 years and over 540 Hours as the state representative on the Hospital Committee. Dennis has done food and clothing drives plus many other fundraisers for Post 50 and V.F.W. Post 3674. He was instrumental in starting the Dickinson County Hockey Association and did volunteer fundraising for the present-day hockey arena.
Dennis is a guiding light in spending 18 years fundraising and building the Upper Peninsula Veterans Memorial on top of Pine Mountain at the base of the ski jump, which has become a major tourist attraction for Dickinson County and the City of Iron Mountain. Not only has he sacrificed his own time, but he has also assured us there is enough money to make sure the memorial will continue long after he is gone.