Michael Dugas was selected as the 2023 Alger County Veteran of the Year, carrying on the legacy of extraordinary veterans who have helped shape and care for the Alger County community.
After the announcement was made that he won the award, Dugas was humbled and felt the award should have gone to one of his fellow nominees.
“I am really honored. I don’t think I deserve it,” he said. “It’s unreal and I’m just dumbfounded. Thank you, thank you, thank you for choosing me.”
Dugas served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, earning two Bronze Stars for saving the lives of two of his fellow soldiers. Back home, he was a founding member of the Munising Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 237 and is an American Legion member for over 35 years. He was part of the group of veterans that led the update of the Alger County All Veterans Memorial in Bayshore Park in Munising, volunteered with the Fourth of July Parade and served over 20 years with the Honor Guard, recognizing veterans at over 250 funerals.
“Two real things I love to serve,” Dugas said. “The honor guard, which I will try to do as long as I live, and the All-Veterans Memorial, those are the two things I put all my time into. And of course Chapter 237.”
This year’s award is just the second Veteran of the Year award awarded through the Alger County Veterans Affairs. Last year’s Alger County Veteran of theYear Sonny Putvin was named this year’s Michigan Veteran of the Year.
But for Dugas, the fact that the community he calls home is honoring him and his family, friends and neighbors that served is a truly moving situation.
“I think it’s really important. My generation of veterans were not welcomed home and it was hard on us when we first got back. It was hard for us because we weren’t recognized by our own peers. And the older generation never thought it was a war, so to come together now like they’re coming together in this day and age is really heartwarming. It warms my soul just to think of it that way,” Dugas said.
The award was given at the Alger County Veteran Community Service Award Banquet on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 at the American Legion Post 131 in Munising. It was part of a larger presentation honoring local veterans and the loved ones that support them. After a performance of the National Anthem by Joleen St. Amour and singing from the Munising Vanguards, keynote speaker Jim Rodgers spoke about the love and service of veterans in their community, the impact of women who served and being a veteran year round.
“We all get together, crack jokes and feel amongst family even if we don’t know who we may be sitting with,” Rodgers said. “But don’t just be a veteran today. Be a veteran everyday. Be the medic, the corpsman, the people who heal the nation.”
Four local veterans were nominated for the award, including Dugas, Rod Killips, Rod DesJardins and Marvin Maki. To be eligible for Alger County Veteran of the Year, nominees have to be an Alger County resident, received an honorable discharge from military service and returned home and demonstrated selfless character in giving back through community service and veterans affairs service. Nominations for next year’s awards can be submitted to algervets@algercounty. gov.
Dugas said the local support for veterans doesn’t have to be limited to just holidays and award ceremonies.
“I think they should recognize the veterans every day of the year. A lot of veterans have given so much physically and a lot that have given so much mentally, being handicapped with what they went through, so I think we should recognize a veteran everyday,” Dugas said. “Tell a veteran ‘thank you for your service’ everyday.”
