Tracey Tippett, a former heavy equipment mechanic for the U.S. Marine Corps, won the Michigan Marine of the Year award at this year’s Summer Convention for the Marine Corps League in Flint. (Journal file photo)

CHAMPION — Tracey Tippett was named the Michigan Marine of the Year at the 85th Summer Convention for the Marine Corps League in Flint earlier this month.

Tippett, who served as a heavy equipment mechanic for the U.S. Marine Corps from 1987 to 1992, was also elected as the Department of Michigan commandant for the state of Michigan Marine Corps League, marking the second time a female has been named Michigan Marine and the second time a female has been elected as Commandant.

“I know in years past I’ve been nominated for the award. But, of course, you’re looking throughout the state of Michigan Marine Corps League. There’s over 32 detachments that can submit Marines deserving of this award,” said Tippett. “I was totally surprised because there are so many good deserving Marines out there for this and the selection committee just selected me this year. So it totally caught me off guard and totally surprised (me.)”

Tippett currently spends a lot of her time working with the Marquette County Toys for Tots program, serving as the director and local campaign coordinator and working with the organization for over 13 years. She noted that while the award and position are amazing honors, she does her work with the community to help fellow veterans and other people.

“Any of us veterans when we receive rewards, we don’t do what we do for those awards. We’re doing what we do because we enjoy what we do. The need is out there for whatever we’re doing and (for) helping our fellow veterans and (for) making sure that our benefits and everything we’re doing keep in place and moving forward in the right direction,” Tippett explained. “I’m also hoping that, being a female especially, that it encourages other females to join something to be part of. Not saying you’re going to join because, ‘Hey, I’m going to be nominated for awards.’ That’s not the case. But to say ‘Hey, it might be cool to join an organization,’ because there’s not a lot of females in the veteran organizations.”

Tippett will hold on to the award until next year’s Summer Convention for the Marine Corps League. For more information on the Michigan Marine Corps League, please visit their website at michiganmarines.org. More information on the Marquette County Toys for Tots program can be found online at marquette-mi.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/Default.aspx.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.