History
Since 2015, Bay Veterans Foundation has...
- Served as the coordinating and fund raising partner for the renewal of Battery Park
- Raised funds to establish the Michigan Gold Star Families Memorial Monument
- Initiated the Bay Veterans Area Information and Support Group at the Dow Family Y
- Organized and implemented Holiday Tree/Wreath Lighting Ceremony in Battery Park
- Serves as a Saginaw Spirit “Veteran of the Game” sponsor for all home games
- Sponsor of Children’s Library International scholarships to support educational needs of children in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam
- Coordinated the Great Lakes Bay Character Development Program under auspices of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation for teachers and other youth leaders
- Maintains the Battery Park and the Gold Star project
- Initiated and coordinates the Bay Area Women Veterans Outreach Program
Mission
The mission of the Bay Veterans Foundation is to solicit and obtain grants for the provision of financial support and in-kind assistance to qualified members of the United States armed forces and to United States military veterans and military service organizations.
Also, the Foundation may contribute funds to support patriotic programs which directly or indirectly benefit or honor active duty United States military personnel and veterans to assist organizations which promote American values and traditions.
Bay Veterans Foundation supports...
Also, the Foundation may contribute funds to support patriotic programs which directly or indirectly benefit or honor active duty United States military personnel and veterans to assist organizations which promote American values and traditions.
Bay Veterans Foundation supports...
- Saginaw Veterans Administration
- Medical Center Patient Needs Fund
- Recreational Therapy Electronic Bingo Machine
- Recreational Therapy Golf Simulator
- Palliative Care Unit Comfort Stations for Family Overnight Stays
- Bay County Veterans Council
- Honor Guard Uniforms, Out-of-Town Travel, Ceremonial Bugle
- Transportation Service (Driver’s Jackets)
- Veteran of the Year Dinner Sponsor
- USS Edson Educational Fund
- Flag Pole and Installation at Brian’s House
Helping Veterans help Themselves
Projects & Programs
Veterans Workspace and Learning Center
Many agencies offer or provide information regarding benefits and services, but they’re fragmented. In a safe, comforting environment,
the Workshop and Learning Center can provide information and make referrals to help veterans navigate the available services and best identify the resources that would most benefit them.
the Workshop and Learning Center can provide information and make referrals to help veterans navigate the available services and best identify the resources that would most benefit them.
Board of Directors
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Keith Markstrom
President Prior to retiring in 2012, Keith Markstrom spent 36 years in health education, and administration with his last position as Director of the Bay Medical Foundation. He served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972 with service in Vietnam. He received BS and MA from Central Michigan University. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Great Lakes Federal Credit Union, and a member of American Legion Post 18.
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Frank G. Hoese
Vice President Retired from the State of Michigan after 38 years of social work with juvenile felony offenders, the last 32 as Director of Parmenter Halfway House. He served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969 with in Vietnam. He received his BA from Michigan State University. He is currently volunteers at the Saginaw Veterans Hospital and was a big brother volunteer in Huron County. Has served on the Boards of Directors for Bay County Boys and Girls Club and Cory Place Runaway Services.
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Michael A. Jamrog
Treasurer Retired in December 2015 after 40 years of financial leadership, operations management and compliance program administration for McLaren Bay Region. He served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971 with service in Vietnam. He received his BBA from Saginaw Valley State University. He is currently a member of the Board for Directors for Great Lakes Federal Credit Union and is a member of the American Legion and a Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans Association.
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Michele Zurvalec
Secretary Advertising Senior Sales Manager, Bay City, Saginaw and Flint Region 32 years of sales and marketing experience in the Great Lakes Bay Region with the MLive Media Group and eight newspapers in Michigan. Michele has volunteered on several boards and committees for groups including: United Way, Saginaw Area Fireworks, Bay Veterans Foundation and others.
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John P. DeWyse
Board Member Retired in 1999 from General Motors Saginaw Steering Gear Division after 31 years of service. Served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970 with service in Vietnam. Has volunteered for many organizations. Currently active in the Local and State Military Order of the Purple Heart Organization, Saginaw Valley Ship Museum, and the Saginaw Veterans Hospital.
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Vaughn J. Begick
Board Member Is a licensed and certified Physicians Assistant working in Family Practice and Urgent Care for the last 41 years. Currently working at Redi Med Urgent Care. He graduated from the University of Michigan and Duke University. He is also a six term Bay County Commissioner. He served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972 with service in Vietnam. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army, member of the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Vietnam Veterans Association and American Legion.
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Robert D. Sharow
Board Member Retired in 2008 as partner from the Law firm Birchler, Fitzhugh, Purtell, and Brissette. Served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969. Received his BA from George Washington University and his JD from University of Michigan. Member of the Board of Directors/Trustee for Delta College Foundation, The Kantzler Foundation, Russell H. and Maxine E. Smith Charitable Foundation, Wenonah Park Properties, Inc, Bay City Downtown Development Authority, Saginaw Valley Torch Club. A current member of the American Legion and Bay County Bar Association.
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Site Compton
Board Member Now retired she held positions as owner of BSC Holdings and BC Automotive Service Center; Assistant Vice President in commercial loans with First of America Bank and later as a Real Estate Agent. She received her BBA from Central Michigan University and continued education Delta College and Academy of Small Business Consultants at Grand Valley State University. Her husband served in the United States Marines with service in Vietnam. She serves in leadership and membership in the River Walk/Rail Trail Committee (BACF), Noon Rotary Club, was a volunteer Small Business Consultant with SBDC at Delta College, and former director of the Bay City Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
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Dave Bledsoe
Board Member Prior to retiring in 2016, Dave Bledsoe spent 32 years teaching Industrial Arts in high school and college. For the last 27 years he held the position of Associate Professor Residential Construction, Technology and Construction Management for Delta College. He received his BS from Central Michigan University and his ME from Saginaw Valley State University. He has authored and published technical teaching and classroom standards in industrial education.
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Jim Reha
Board Member Prior to retiring in 2012, Jim Reha spent 35 year as a public school teacher in Saginaw and the Gary, Indiana public schools. He served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1972, with service in Vietnam. He also served in the Army Reserve and The Indiana National Guard from 1972 to 1976. He received a BS and MS from Indiana University. He is the Director of Educational Programs for the U.S.S. Edson and is a teacher for the OLLE Program at Saginaw Valley State University
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Melissa Alex
Board Member State Coordinator for Survivor Outreach Services, serving Military Families who have lost a loved one while serving in the Military. She has been a contactor working for the Michigan National Guard Family Programs for nine years. Melissa is also a Certified Massage Therapist. She volunteers on several boards and committees for groups including: Bay County Vietnam Monument Committee, Yellow Ribbon Guard, I Support the 1% food pantry and Bay Veterans Foundation.
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Randy Hayward
Board Member Thirty Five year pilot for American Airlines, Lifetime Farmer, Attorney and Owner of New Executive Mortgage LLC. Thirteen year veteran of USAF and Michigan Air National Guard. Active supporter of local veterans programs and advancing veterans issues. Graduate of Delta College, Michigan State University, and Thomas Cooley Law School.
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Terry Spencer
Board Member Bio coming soon!
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Bill Herrera
Board Member CPA. Partner in the firm of Madison Professionals, P.C. Received Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics from Northern Michigan University on January, 1969. Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant since 1971. Native of Havana, Cuba and escaped Castro's communist dictatorship in June, 1962. Member of the AICPA and MACPA. Served in numerous boards in the past 50 years as officer and director such as YMCA. Boys and Girls Club, Bay City Players, Bay Community Foundation and Bay/McLaren Medical Foundation.
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Carol Injasoulian
Board Member Chemist and Lab Manager for the City of Bay City for twenty years. Received a B.S in Medical Technology / Military Science minor from Central Michigan University and a MS in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland UC. Upon Graduating from Central she commissioned in the Michigan Army National Guard. For 23 years she served in various leadership roles as a Military Police Officer and conducted year long operations in Cuba, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
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