MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Marquette county awarded the 2022 Veteran of the Year to Jim Provost on Friday, Oct. 7 at the American Legion Post 44.
“To have a group of your peers tell you that you have done a good job at something, it is pretty special,” Jim Provost said.
Provost is a 1965 Marquette Senior High School graduate. Only three days after graduation, Provost found himself in the Marine Corps boot camp. Six months later, Provost was in Vietnam.
“It’s been special,” Provost said. “I am proud of the fact that I have served my country and I was in the Marine Corps.”
However, coming home was a different story. Provost suffered from PTSD that led him to find counseling services. Provost found Dan Forrester who helped counsel him through his transition back home which led him to find his passion in helping other veterans.
“When he came back from Vietnam we felt he needed to have purpose and he found real purpose in helping veterans,” Dan Forrester, master of social work, said.
Provost is most proud of the AVTT Vietnam Wall that he helped bring to Marquette in 2016, a great accomplishment with support from many and a source of healing for area veterans.
“He is always willing to take on the tough Veteran assignments such as spearheading the efforts for the AVTT Vietnam Wall, driving veterans to Tomah Wisconsin for rehabilitation efforts,” Craig Salo, master of ceremonies, said.
Provost stays busy in all aspects of his life. When he is not helping veterans, he is involved with his family as grandfather to four grandchildren, father to two sons and husband of 50 years to his wife, Judy.
“Growing up, I mean, I have seen him do things for the community and things for people my whole life and I think the veteran thing is something that is very very important to him,” Eric Provost, eldest son to Provost, said. “So I am glad to see him being recognized and honored.”
Provost’s award celebration was held with friends, family and veterans in honor of his achievements.
