Daniel Jackovich is the 2023 Marquette County Veteran of the Year. He has been active in veteran-related volunteer services, including participating in poppy sales, bingo games and serves as representative for the state Disabled American Veterans, among other titles. (Courtesy photo)

LITTLE LAKE — Daniel Jackovich has been named the Marquette County Veteran of the Year for 2023.

Jackovich is a 1964 Bishop Baraga High School graduate who served his country in the U.S. Navy from November 1965 to January 1970. Following basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center where he attended Electricians Mate Class A School, he was assigned to USS UHL Uhlmann, DD-687 from 1966 to 1968.

Jackovich served two six-month deployments to the Tonkin Gulf off the coast of Vietnam during that period. He then attended the Coronado California School and participated in National Security Agency security police training and in that capacity returned to DaNang, Vietnam, from 1969-70.

Jackovich received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Star, 4 Bronze Campaign Stars (9 Campaigns), Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Gallantry Cross/Palm, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Civil Action, 1st Class/Palm.

He was employed in facilities maintenance at the Peninsula Medical Center in Marquette from 1982 until his retirement in 2007. Jackovich is a 32-year member of Marquette County Vietnam Veterans of America 380, where he has served as president, vice president, nominating committee chairman, board member, member of the scholarship, finance and dinner dance committees and a member of the color guard and honor guard.

Jackovich has been a Jacobetti Home bingo volunteer since 1990 and enjoys spending time with the residents and hearing their stories.

He has also been a member of American Legion Post 44 for 45 years, serving on the executive committee, participating in poppy sales and can always be counted on to volunteer wherever needed. Jackovich is also a 40&8 member and serves VFW Post 6 as post chaplain and annual poppy sale volunteer.

His veteran commitment goes even further, such as his role as member of Disabled American Veterans chapter 22 where he serves as VAVA officer and State Disabled American Veterans representative for the Jacobetti Veterans Home Coordinators Committee, state VVA representative from 1990 to 2017, VFC chairman from 2016 to 2017 and Jacobetti bingo volunteer. He has received the 1,000-hour volunteer award from Jacobetti for his efforts.

Jackovich also plays several musical instruments and can often be found strumming and singing at local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and area dances.

He is married to Pam, father to Cathy, JoAnne and Samantha and grandfather of three.

“His outstanding service record and lifelong dedication to area veterans makes him worthy of being Marquette County Veteran of the Year,” a Marquette County Veteran of the Year press release said. “We thank him for dedicating his efforts to making a difference in the lives of our veterans. In Dan’s words to other veterans, get involved (and) join a veterans’ organization.”

Jackovich will be honored at 6 p.m. Saturday at Little Lake American Legion Post 349. A social hour starts at 5 p.m.