DEARBORN – The city and the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council will host the annual Veterans Day program at City Hall at 11 a.m. Thursday in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 13615 Michigan Ave. The public is invited.
Vietnam War Army veteran Daniel L. Ryder will be honored during the ceremony as Dearborn Veteran of Year.
In choosing Ryder, the selection committee cited not only his years of military service to the nation but also his high level of dedication to veterans’ organizations and causes.
Among his volunteer contributions, Ryder is the assistant director of the Legion Riders Post 364 and post chaplain for the American Legion Fort Dearborn Post 364. He is also a member of the Honor Guard for the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 267 and assists with Patriot Guard missions.
Ryder speaks humbly about his military service.
“We were just everyday people that went and did something our fathers and grandfathers did,” he said. “This is America. You lay your life down if you have to. Now we work hard to contribute to the community.”
Ken VanHooser, who joined in the nomination of Ryder and is himself a past Veteran of the Year (2002) and board member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Post 267, said, “This award isn’t about what the veterans did in war but what they did when they came home to help their brothers. Danny is always there. He’s a wonderful man. He’s got a heart of gold, will constantly give and now he’s going to receive something and that’s nice.”
DAWVC Commander Craig Tillman will lead the program and make remarks.