Milt Dean, a Vietnam War veteran and longtime Kenosha County resident, has been named the first recipient of the Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award. The announcement was made by County Executive Samantha Kerkman, who will present the award at the Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic on Friday, May 30, at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
The new annual award is designed to recognize veterans for their achievements and contributions after military service. Dean’s selection highlights his decades-long commitment to education and community service in Kenosha County.
“We received many outstanding nominations for this award, but Milt’s many contributions to the community and his passion for education and advocacy for veterans put him above all others,” Kerkman said. “Milt’s spirit of service is what this award is all about, and he is a most-deserving recipient of the inaugural honor.”
Dean served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 with the 93rd Engineers before returning home to earn a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He then spent 34 years teaching fifth- and sixth-grade students at Prairie Lane Elementary School. In 1986, he was recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Kenosha Unified School District.
Dean remains active as an instructor in after-school sports programs at Prairie Lane Elementary even after retiring from full-time teaching in 2004. He also sponsors a Little League baseball team through American Legion Post 21 and serves on the board of Little Leaguers of Kenosha.
His wife Jackie nominated him for the award, describing him as “a proud veteran, loyal to both our country and our county.” Dean expressed gratitude upon learning he would receive this recognition: “I feel very honored and fortunate being chosen as the first recipient of the Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award,” Dean said. “I’d like to personally thank County Executive Kerkman for initiating this new award honoring our valued commodity, veterans.”
In addition to his work with youth, Dean has donated more than 15 gallons of blood—his rare AB negative type often going to children—and led fundraising efforts supporting Special Olympics while organizing Salvation Army bellringing campaigns. He has also mentored students at Southport Elementary School and Armitage Academy.
Dean holds memberships with American Legion Post 21, Navy Club Ship 40, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1865. With these organizations he helps coordinate Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities, visits nursing homes with gifts for veterans during holidays, and participates in weekly gatherings such as Heroes Café at Festival Foods.
“When it comes to veterans in our community, actively serving the community, Milt is second to none,” said Jennifer Blasi, Director of Kenosha County Veterans Services.
Jackie Dean summarized her husband’s impact: “From city to county, his strength of conviction has benefitted thousands, of all age groups.”
The annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic will take place at noon on May 30 at Veterans Honor Plaza within Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Free roundtrip transportation will be provided from Festival Foods on 80th Street by Dousman Transport Co., subject to availability; those needing transportation are asked to contact the county’s Veterans Service Office.
Dean graduated from Bradford High School—one of three largest schools by enrollment in Kenosha County during the current school year according to state data (https://dpi.wi.gov/). Of over 25,000 students attending schools across Kenosha County this year (https://dpi.wi.gov/), white students make up just over half while Hispanic students are now more than one quarter (https://dpi.wi.gov/). American Indian students remain among those least represented locally (https://dpi.wi.gov/).
