Hillsdale County, Michigan citizens have always shown a strong willingness to serve in the United States military branches. Those who have not served have shown extremely strong support and respect for those who did serve.
This support goes back in history as far the Civil War. A huge number of local men were part of the "Grand Army of the Republic" and U.S. Navy. They pursued their duty on foot, on horseback and in ships that took them far from home .The veterans saw a higher calling and answered it with determination . Through many wars that same internal drive sent men and women across the seas and across the land to benefit all Americans.
The late 1800' s saw many reunions of G.A.R veterans at the Hillsdale Fair Grounds. Some news articles suggesting as many as 3000 vets were gathered as " brothers in arms" to camp and reminisce for a week at a time. Jonesville's American Legion was named after three such veterans, Boyce, Bunce and Carpenter; surely there were other posts named that way.
There was, at one time, a Legion post or a V.F.W. post in almost every town in Hillsdale County showing
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pride and respect for those who served their country. History does show that after each war a resurgence in membership in these organizations would continue for several years. Then fading of aging begins to show as membership slows and for many the complete folding of local posts becomes inevitable.
The Fair did its' part in honoring veterans. Beginning in 1898 by honoring "soldiers and sailors day" which usually fell on a Saturday and kept that theme until 1950 when it was changed to "Veterans Day." It was addressed again in in 1959 when Veterans Day was moved to the first Monday of the fair. Most certainly many WW2 and Korean War members had a great deal to do with that change. It stayed the same since. Many of these years had two parades on Veterans Day, one from downtown Hillsdale to the fairgrounds in the morning and one in the evening in front of the grandstands; both were always led by veterans from county organizations.
In 1962 the first Veteran of the Year was announced at the grandstand program. The winner selected was chosen by a committee vote. This writer can't even imagine the background discussions that took place before this program became a reality. Imagine the questions a committee member would be considering about a candidate. Number one would be what makes this candidate stand out from the rest? The answer would have to be public service. What did a candidate do that was beyond what most are willing to give back to their respective community? We have among our list of Veterans of the Year the most giving, community minded Americans that ever graced Hillsdale County as well as having served the cause of freedom with honor.
In 2016 plans began to build a monument in the fairgrounds to publicly honor these Veterans of the Year. Although the project is ongoing the primary monument is finished and is a marvelous tribute for all observers to behold. Each name is engraved on military shell with the date of selection. The outside of the memorial is shaped like a ship's bow that represents how most military soldiers left this country in time of war. There will be eventually a kiosk with computer program to look up biographies of past winners. The intent from the start was to provide room for at least another 5O years of winners' names.
This Veteran of the Year Committee in 2020 is made up individuals from four posts from Hillsdale County, all are veterans and have served honorably in the United States military. John Lowe, Reading Legion, Chad Haley, Reading Legion, Tom Kushmaul, Waldron V.F .W, Sid Michael, Hillsdale Legion, Gene Denning Hillsdale Legion, Peter Jennings, Jonesville Legion, Steve Tulloch, Jonesville Legion, Gary Noblit, Jonesville Legion.
Respectfully submitted, Gary Noblit Chairman Veteran of the Year Committee