DEARBORN – The public is invited to attend the city’s Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave.
The ceremony is presented in conjunction with the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council. Honored at the ceremony will be the DAWVC’s 2016 Dearborn Veteran of the Year: U.S. Navy veteran Andy Anderson.
The veteran of the year is chosen for actions that improve the lives of others and for the personal qualities of honor, leadership, compassion and commitment.
In Anderson’s 35 years of dedication to the veterans community, he has displayed all of these characteristics and has positively influenced those around him.
Since returning home from war in Vietnam, he has dedicated much of his life to making sure the lives of his brothers are not forgotten.
Anderson is involved with almost every veterans club and organization around. He serves as second vice president of the James Huard Chapter 267 Vietnam Veterans of America, where he oversees committees involving Agent Orange, MIA/POW issues and community affairs.
He is a life member of the Marine Corps League Dearborn Detachment 152, American Legion Post 364, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2107 and Disabled American Veterans.
He served as Marine Sergeant of Arms at the Marine Corps League for 10 years, and he is the current historian for the American Legion. In addition, Anderson is active in the Dearborn Outer Drive Kiwanis Club, where he engages with the community and serves as a role model for children.
Among Anderson’s many great accomplishments, he said bringing the traveling memorial called the “Moving Vietnam Wall” to Dearborn in 2000 stands out as one of his proudest.
“He is a go-getter, always helping and getting things done, either at a meeting or after,” said Phil Smith, commandant of Marine Corps League Detachment 152.