Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi, retired U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant, and 2022 recipient of the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition’s Veteran of Honor at the coalition’s 2022 parade.
By ROBERT ANKRAPP
For the Times-Herald
HEIGHTS – Mayor Bill Bazzi, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was recognized by the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition as its 2022 Veteran of Honor last week, during its 17th annual Veterans Day Parade in Detroit’s Corktown.
Bazzi, a retired gunnery sergeant, served the corps in several capacities, including multiple worldwide deployments throughout his 21-year military career. Prior to his current role as mayor, he was an engineer with Ford Motor Co. — where he served as past president of the Ford Veterans Network Group — and prior to that, an engineer with the Boeing Aerospace Co.
He is a supporter of local and regional veterans organizations and the services they provide – serving in the capacities of participant and volunteer leader. Most recently, serving as a three-term past Commander — and current board member — of the Dearborn Area Allied War Veterans Council.
“I am honored to be named as this year’s Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition Veteran of Honor” Bazzi said. “It is certainly a highlight in my years of experience as a veteran and associate of this great organization.
“As a proud retiree of the United States Marine Corps, it humbles me to join the distinguished list of veterans who have accepted this recognition before me. It will be an ongoing reminder of the importance of our continued work as ambassadors of service as we continue our focus on recognizing and honoring the sacrifices of all veterans, continuing our work to provide assistance to our vets, and helping foster the importance of patriotism throughout our communities.”
About the Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition
The Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition is a Michigan-based volunteer organization dedicated to providing veterans of all military branches a platform to better serve their communities. Believing authentic patriotism binds diverse communities in a common cause, the organization seeks to inspire patriotism through civic events and community initiatives, bringing citizens, children and youth, and active military & veterans together for a common cause.