Adam Bartelmay

A Northern Michigan veterans food bank has seen a more than 100 percent increase in need over the last two years. Thanks to generous community donations throughout the year, the Vets Serving Vets Food Bank in Cadillac has had no trouble meeting that demand.  That doesn’t mean they don’t need your help This year, they’ve been handing out an average…

  Our nation’s heroes who have been struggling to get the dental care they need could be eligible for a new program. Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs just received funding for free dental care services. Money for those services is coming from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. It’s a one-time program and you may not get this opportunity again, so…

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicides are highest among the veteran population with an average of 22 every day. That’s a statistic the non-profit 22 2 None wants to help bring to zero here in northern Michigan and across the country. They offer many services to help, like their barracks at the former South Boardman Elementary School. They have…

A northern Michigan veteran-owned business is hoping to hire former or soon-to-be former military members to fill positions in what could be an exciting new career.  Traverse City-based Michigan Towers Inc. wants to employ several people help install cell phone towers in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Michigan Towers is a member of the National Association of Tower Erectors or…

You can help a northern Michigan veterans park expand its offerings and raise funds for several projects one brick at a time. This summer, the Cadillac Veterans Serving Veterans Park began their “Buy-A-Brick” fundraiser. You can purchase bricks engraved with your name or the names of anyone you would like to honor.  They will be placed either in pathways in…

One of the biggest benefits veterans can miss out on is health care from the VA.  That’s why they’re holding an enrollment event next month in Alpena. The Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic is where the enrollment event is happening. All veterans in the surrounding area not currently enrolled for VA benefits, who are…

This weekend, a northern Michigan veteran’s organization will be celebrating 90 years of support for those who sacrificed to serve our country. The Mecosta Veterans of Foreign Wars post is full of memorabilia that looks back on the generations of men and women who have been members there. It’s an organization where veterans can come together and share stories they…

The Department of  Veterans Affairs is handing out hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant money to improve transitional housing in Gaylord. Patriot Place is operated by Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan and offers individual housing units for male veterans as they transition from homelessness to permanent homes. The V.A. is awarding Goodwill $525,000 to add an additional bathroom to…

Spring is usually a time when people feel better with more daylight and improving weather. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says spring is actually a time when suicide rates increase nationwide.  The suicide rate is even higher among veterans.  That’s why the V.A. is giving away gunlocks with the goal of prevention. According to the V.A., 70% of…

The Petoskey American Legion Post is hoping to connect more veterans to each to other in a safe, welcoming space. The Petoskey post is developing some new programs and adding office hours to achieve that goal. One of the programs they’re starting is called MWR, which stands for morale, welfare and recreation. The idea is to give all veterans, not…

A horse farm in Northern Michigan that specializes in equine assisted counseling and education is looking to expand its services to include more programming for veterans. Peace Ranch near Traverse City recently hired a program director with 25 years of experience in the U.S. Army. Chad Brown is a retired Command Sergeant Major, the highest rank an enlisted person can…

The Cadillac High School hockey team is lacing up their skates to once again honor the men and women who sacrificed for our country. Wednesday night, the Vikings will be hosting Big Rapids in their annual Salute to Service Military Appreciation Game at the Wex.  It was canceled last year because of the pandemic. Over the years, the game is…

Vets helping vets and leaving no one behind.  That’s the mission of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 35-7, otherwise known as the Lost Boys. They are part of a national association of combat veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces who ride motorcycles.  Chapter 35-7 is based out of Manistee county, but they serve all of Northern…