Art Menard

ESCANABA — An Escanaba veteran who has been extremely active in veteran’s affairs and organizations has received a state honor.

Art Menard has been named Marine of the Year by the Michigan Marine Corps League. The selection was made recently at the state MCL convention.

Menard has been commandant of Escanaba Detachment 444 since 2005, a club he has belonged to since 1999. He had been sergeant-at-arms for five years before assuming his current position.

Under his guidance, the local chapter has hosted two state conventions and has increased its membership each year. He has also been instrumental in getting the detachment involved in a variety of programs.

The detachment has also been a leader in supporting the Upper Peninsula Honor Flight, which has conducted 14 missions to bring Upper Peninsula veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials in their honor.

Menard, who received several decorations while serving in the Corps while from 1977-82, is also commander of VFW Post 2998 in Escanaba.