By Rosemary Horvath
Herald Correspondent
[private]A unique gathering place where military veterans and their families can reconnect with their communities while ensuring their physical and mental health needs are safely addressed, earned a financial boost from Gratiot County Commisioners at their Aug. 1 meeting.
Retired United States Air Force Colonel Nancy Bozzer, director of Gratiot County Veterans Affairs, relied on the commissioners to kickstart plans to open the Heroes Center, a private, social gathering hub for former service members and their loved ones.
Bozzer has been negotiating with the St. Louis American Legion Post 256 to turn their Michigan Avenue hilltop facility into the destination. A September open house has been tentatively reset for early 2023.
Bozzer first approached the county board for funding in May. She explained to The Herald about “the void” miliary personnel experience upon leaving the service and returning to civilian life.
“Members feel insignificant, overwhelmed coming back into the civilian world,” Bozzer said. “You feel you are behind your peers. The Center will give a sense of belonging.”
Bozzer spent 25 years and one month in the Air Force and served as a Wing Commander of military posts in Europe.
Bozzer is working with local post commanders, and is partnering with the Saginaw VA Veterans Center and other government agencies and nonprofits. She has been forming a board of directors to oversee the program.
The Center will be a safe place, free of alcohol and drugs, Bozzer stressed. Planned are life skill classes, and interviews on how to translate military language into civilian language.
Bozzer approached the county board for startup funds but missed out on the full $355,000 she requested of American Rescue Plan funding.
Commissioners have funded nearly $7 million to projects submitted by municipalities and nonprofits, beginning last year.
A decision was made to set aside the amount remaining of the federal funding to address needed restoration at the Ithaca courthouse and other county buildings and projects.
For months, a majority on the board have reluctantly turned away latecomers requesting last-minute ARP funding requests, no matter how worthy.
So, commissioners were taken aback hearing request for a sizeable sum for a Heroes Center.
They determined the county is prohibited from donating taxpayer money to nonprofits but the American Rescue Plan Act has no such restrictions.
Bozzer asked for whatever amount the board saw fit. Her original request dropped to $245,000 for a director’s 2-year salary and building improvements, then to $120,000 for salary only.
Commissioner Jan Bunting’s initial motion to award $245,000 died for lack of second.
Bunting dropped the amount to $200,000 of ARP funds in a motion that earned support from Commissioner George Bailey.
Commissioner Sam Smith expressed appreciation for the center’s purpose, but pointed out the board turned away 15 requests over recent months. He could not justify this new request after telling others “the money ran out.”
Bailey agreed with Smith but being from the age of Vietnam veterans, he believes a center would have been an asset then, and would be now.
“If Nancy (Bozzer) had come six months ago, she would have got $355,000,” Bailey said.
Commissioner John Lemmermann agreed with Smith’s views then pointed out the many new programs being created to assist veterans already.
Bunting’s motion directing $200,000 for the Heroes Center also received support from chairman Chuck Murphy. Smith and Lemmermann voted no.
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