GWINN — The Marquette County Veterans Alliance is recognizing the first female veteran to earn the Marquette County Veteran of the Year award.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Tracey Tippett will be accepting the award at 7 p.m. Saturday at Gwinn VFW Post 5670.

“I’m very humbled and I’m very appreciative,” Tippett said, “and truly honored to receive this (Veteran of the Year Award) because I am not used to this kind of thing happening to me. There are so many other deserving veterans that do so much to help other veteran communities and Marquette County.”

Veteran alliance organizers are opening doors for the public to join the fifth annual event.

A social hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a formal award ceremony to honor Tippett at 7 p.m with hors d’oeuvres and other foods after the ceremony.

The Marquette County Veterans Alliance sponsors the Veteran of the Year program annually.

Nominations were submitted to organizers of a MCVA committee, from which the chairman chooses a subcommittee.

The applications for awardees are reviewed and the winner is determined by the committee. It is an opportunity to recognize the contributions that veterans continue to provide, organizers said.

“She’s been a phenomenal resource,” said Marquette County Veterans Alliance member Craig Salo.

Tippett retired from the military as a sergeant. She was active duty in the Marine Corps as a heavy equipment mechanic from 1987-1992.

She holds positions in a number of organizations:

≤ Life member of Marine Corps League

≤ Life member of Military Order of Devil Dogs

≤ Coordinator for Marquette County Marine Toys for Tots

≤ Department of Michigan Marine Corps adjutant

≤ Upper Peninsula zone junior vice commandant

≤ Member of American Legion Post 114

≤ Life member and on board of trustees at Marquette County Veterans Alliance

≤ Marquette County Veterans Affairs committee member

Currently, Tippett, 53, is in her 28th year of full-time employment at TruNorth Federal Credit Union.

Katie Segula can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is ksegula@miningjournal.net.