Jordan Beck | Daily Press U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, right, participates in a ceremony held in honor of Bernard Stanaway Jr., left — 2019’s Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year — at the U.P. State Fair Thursday.

ESCANABA — Bernard Stanaway Jr., commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3165 in Negaunee, was honored as 2019’s Upper Peninsula Veteran of the Year Thursday. A ceremony in his honor was held at the U.P. State Fair that day, which was Honored Citizens Day at the fair.

Bernard served in Korea while in the United States Marine Corps. He received a number of military decorations, including the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

During the ceremony, Bernard thanked his family for their love and support and VFW Post 3165 for choosing him as its U.P. Veteran of the Year nominee.

“It is a great honor to be awarded this, and I’m humbled by all of the recognition,” he said.

According to Chairman of the U.P. Veteran of the Year Committee Bud Huuki, veterans organizations in the area choose someone to nominate for the honor each year.

“Upon reviewing the applications, the selection is made,” he said.

VFW Post 3165 Trustee Tom Stanaway — who said he is not related to Bernard — was glad his post’s nominee was chosen as 2019’s U.P. Veteran of the Year.

“I’m elated, being the fact that this is my post command,” he said.

Tom also noted the point system used to select each year’s U.P. Veteran of the Year takes both military history and community service into account.

“They like to know what you’re doing for veterans in your area … and the Upper Peninsula,” he said.