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Milt Dean Surprised by Former Students as He’s Honored at Veterans Picnic

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Milt Dean speaks after receiving the inaugural Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award on Friday at the Veterans Summer Appreciation Summer Picnic at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
(Photo by Joe Potente, Kenosha County)

All veterans were celebrated — and one received a special honor — on Friday, at County Executive Samantha Kerkman’s annual Veterans Appreciation Memorial Picnic.

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The event, now in its third year, again featured a free lunch served courtesy of Mission BBQ, resource tables with information about county and VA services, and an opportunity for veterans and their families to enjoy the scenic grounds of the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park and its Veterans Honor Plaza.

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The crowd at Friday’s Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park lines up for a free lunch served courtesy of MISSION BBQ.
(Photo by Joe Potente, Kenosha County)

New this year was the presentation of the inaugural Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award, granted to Vietnam veteran Milt Dean.

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“I am both humbled and honored to be the recipient of this award,” Dean said, thanking his wife Jackie and the county executive for their support.

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From left, Sheriff David Zoerner and County Executive Samantha Kerkman talk with 2025 Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Milt Dean during the Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic on Friday at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
(Photo by Joe Potente, Kenosha County)

A Kenosha native, Dean has 52 years of service in education, including 34 years as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher at Prairie Lane Elementary School, where he remains involved today — more than two decades after his retirement — as an intramural sports instructor.

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Some of Dean’s students from over the years came to the picnic to see Dean receive his honors. One of them, Michelle Holmes, traveled about two and a half hours from her home in Hancock, Wis., to surprise her former teacher.

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Dean is also active in many veterans’ organizations and has been a prolific blood donor and supporter of Special Olympics.

The band Dixie Dudes performs for the crowd at Friday’s Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
(Photo by Joe Potente, Kenosha County)

“The Veteran of the Year Award is intended to honor outstanding veterans for their service to the community after their time in military service,” Kerkman said. “And I can think of nobody better than Milt Dean to receive the honor.”

Kenosha County Veterans Service Officer also addressed the audience, speaking of the unbreakable bonds that are formed among those who serve in the military.

“Despite all the differences we have — race, gender, religion, or political affiliation — military service is the tie that binds us,” Blasi said, “even well after we’ve taken off the uniform.”

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