IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Over the weekend, Lake Antoine Park buzzed with camaraderie and celebration as the Dickinson County Veteran Picnic 2024 unfolded. The event, organized to honor local veterans and foster community connections, drew over 500 attendees.
Denise Formolo, the Dickinson County Veteran Service Officer, expressed excitement about the event’s success and the significant community turnout. “We’ve had over 500 people through the line already for the meal, and they’re all enjoying seeing each other again. A lot of them don’t see each other but once a year, so it’s a fantastic time for all of our friends and their families to get together, talk about stories and things,” she said.
A highlight of the picnic was the recognition of Dennis Lynch as the 2024 Dickinson County Veteran of the Year. Lynch has been deeply involved in various community and veteran organizations, including the American Legion, VFW, and the Veterans Alliance. “Dennis has done so much in our community. He’s been involved in just about everything,” Formolo noted. “He’s been Santa Claus for the Christmas parade and active in Leif Erickson days in Norway. We are so excited he got to be named Dickinson County Veteran of the Year.”
Lynch shared the purpose of bringing the community together to support veterans in Dickinson County. “Part of the purpose of this [picnic] was to identify and locate veterans and veteran survivors who might be able to benefit, or who are entitled to benefits and assistance they probably don’t know they have, so we can know their names so we can contact them and find what they need.”
Senator Ed McBroom, a former student of Lynch, attended the picnic to make the announcement and present a proclamation. “His first term, he ran against another young man who was also a student, so one of them certainly was going to win,” Lynch remarked, highlighting the connection between past and present community leaders.
The picnic featured a variety of activities, including a concert with performances by Norton Chartier & Company, 141 North and The Descendants.
Lynch emphasized the importance of young veterans getting involved in their communities. “We need them badly. If you look at some of the people in the color guard at different functions, they’re mostly older men like myself. We understand that when you’re in your 30s, 40s, and 50s, you’re raising your families and catching all the overtime and bad shifts. But we need them to take our places. There’s a lot of good to be done.”
The event’s growing popularity is a testament to the community’s support. “5 years ago, we had 68 people,” Formolo recalled. “We have this picnic specifically to show the appreciation that our community has for our veterans. Our community comes together and makes all the donations to help this picnic. We’re very fortunate to have a very strong community and a well-supported veteran population.”
The Dickinson County Veterans Office, with the help of a grant and community funding, ensures the annual picnic is a memorable and meaningful occasion for those who attended.
The Dickinson County Veteran Service Office is located near the Ford Airport at:
2301 Woodward Ave, Kingsford
To contact a local veteran service officer, call:
906-774-2820
