‘Honor Our Veterans Night’ at the Michigan Brown Trout Festival

Since 2019, the Michigan Brown Trout Festival has held an ‘Honor Our Veterans Night,’ a time to honor and celebrate the sacrifices our country’s military has made for us.

Veterans young and old were present to get together, enjoy food and drinks, and spend time in each other’s company again.

“Brown Trout is a good gathering;” said U.S. Air Force veteran Dennis Siegert. “There’s a lot of fishermen and locals and people come into it, you got RV people coming into town, it’s just a great venue, and Alpena’s a great place.”

The youngest and oldest veterans were both honored, as the youngest gave the oldest a slice of cake. They also kept open a table for the veterans who could not be present.

The veterans in attendance appreciate the evening and being recognized for the sacrifices they have made.

“That makes you feel good, because when we got back from Vietnam, people looked down on you, and you were treated like a second class person, and this way it gives us some redemption, and we appreciate it,” said U.S. Air Force veteran Jim Potrykus.

The event was sponsored by community donors, including Meijer, Alpena Buick GMC, and WBKB, who were proud to sponsor the event that honors our veterans.

“I’m humbled to be here for these veterans that provide a security blanket for us here and growing up with freedom, because freedom isn’t free, so we appreciate that very much,” said Jimmy Skiba of Alpena Buick GMC.

“Being able to be here tonight and thank them for the service that they’ve provided and the freedoms they provided for us is just one of the greatest things we can do, and it’s a great night, and I look forward to this more than any other night of the Brown Trout every year,” said Warren Richter, store director at Meijer in Alpena.

The military is a brotherhood, and the veterans spent the evening reuniting with their brothers and sisters in arms.