Howard Seid

ONTONAGON — Howard Seid of Ontonagon will be recognized as the 2024 U.P. Veteran of the Year at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba.

Seid exemplifies the spirit of service and community that the U.P. Veteran of the Year award seeks to recognize. His selfless contributions, extending from his family to the broader community and fellow veterans, highlighting a commitment that goes beyond the call of duty. His actions speak volumes of his character, where humility and generosity stand as pillars of his service. Such dedication not only enriches lives but also sets a standard for others to aspire to, making him a commendable nominee for this prestigious honor.

His distinguished career in the Air Force is a testament to his dedication and service. Graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1981, he has held various significant roles in the Air Force, highlighting his leadership and expertise. His career reached a pinnacle in 2007 when he served as the vice commander of the 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland AFB,

Since retirement, Seid has worked tirelessly for veterans and his community. Since 2016, he has been the western U.P. representative for the Veteran’s Community Action Team working on numerous individual issues with veterans. He is the vice-chairman of the VCAT Steering Committee and is responsible for the administration of grant money given to the VCAT. In the last three years, he collaborated with the team giving almost $400,000 in food cards to veterans across the U.P.

Seid drives the Disabled American Veterans van for the veteran transportation network to the VA Hospital in Iron Mountain transporting veterans who need rides. and works as the instructor for teaching new drivers as well as advocating for new volunteers.

As an active member of the Ontonagon County Veterans Association, he attends most military funerals in Ontonagon County, serving any position needed, such as the rifle squad commander or as the commander presenting the US flag to the next of kin. He has also commanded many veteran color guards organizing veterans in Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day parades.

Every year Seid plans, organizes, and hosts a Veteran’s Day dinner party for almost 100 veterans and spouses in Rockland, thanking them for their service. He serves as the speaker for this event each year and personally delivers meals to all veterans that cannot attend this event.

In 2023, he planned and organized a veteran outreach event for Ontonagon County. 153 veterans came to access resources and gain more information on numerous veteran topics, important to them.

As commander of Rockland Legion Post 92, he has almost doubled its membership in seven years. When the Post was losing money at bingo, he re-worked the entire program. He turned it around and they are now making over $10,000 a year funding veteran community projects and supporting additional programs and services.

Seid works with the local Marine Toys for area youth program to organize a visit from Santa every Christmas to deliver a toy to every child in Rockland that comes to visit Santa. During the COVID year when that Christmas party was canceled, he would not let that stop Santa from getting toys to the kids of Rockland.

He planned and organized Santa to ride on the fire truck and go to every house in Rockland that had a child under 16 and deliver toys. Almost 65 toys are given out each year.

Last year a Conservatory Group from Marquette contacted Seid to create a nature walk area in Rockland for veterans in memory of a man who passed away. The family wanted to buy 40 acres and create a nature area dedicated to local veterans. He worked with the conservatory group to create a beautiful area near Victoria Dam

A family in Marquette had six cemetery plots in Ontonagon and wanted to donate them for local veterans who passed without a plot. Seid worked with the family and coordinated with lawyers and the local cemetery to obtain all required paperwork and then accepted the six plots for his American Legion Post.

Three years ago, he worked with a local group to start a yearly veteran fishing day in a private pond. Almost 100 veterans come out to catch rainbow trout at this handicap-accessible pond.

Each year Seid leads the planning for a kid’s fishing day in Rockland. This year, when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources decided not to stock the Ontonagon County Pond anymore, he raised almost $2,000 to stock the pond with crappie. He then coordinated the sponsors and led an amazing day serving 83 kids and more than 150 people.

Upon taking over as commander of the Legion, he brought back Boys State and Girls State to Ontonagon Area High School. For the past six years, Post 92 has sponsored the most students in the state. Four years ago, Ewen-Trout Creek High School wanted to start a program but could find no one to initiate it. The nominee went out and raised the money so they could start a program and send their students to Boys and Girls State.

He is also affiated with many other veterans and civilian organizations.