Milt Dean, a Vietnam War veteran and longtime Kenosha 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 to Dean at the annual Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic on Friday, May 30, at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
The new award aims to recognize veterans for their post-service achievements and community contributions. According to Kerkman, “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. 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 start a family and pursue a career in education. He taught fifth- and sixth-grade students at Prairie Lane Elementary School for 34 years. His work as an educator earned him recognition as Teacher of the Year by the Kenosha Unified School District in 1986.
Dean’s wife Jackie nominated him for the award. She described him as “a proud veteran, loyal to both our country and our county.” In response to receiving the honor, Dean said, “I feel very honored and fortunate being chosen as the first recipient of the Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award. I’d like to personally thank County Executive Kerkman for initiating this new award honoring our valued commodity, veterans.”
After retiring from teaching in 2004, Dean continued working with youth through after-school programs and Little League baseball. He sponsors a team on behalf of American Legion Post 21 and serves on local youth sports boards.
Dean has also donated more than 15 gallons of blood over his lifetime—his rare AB negative type often benefits children—and led fundraising efforts supporting Special Olympics at Prairie Lane Elementary School. Additionally, he volunteers with Salvation Army bellringing campaigns and mentors students at other schools in Kenosha.
As an active member of American Legion Post 21, Navy Club Ship 40, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1865, Dean helps coordinate Memorial Day and Veterans Day events in addition to visiting nursing homes during holidays.
Kenosha County Veterans Services Director Jennifer Blasi commented: “When it comes to veterans in our community, actively serving the community, Milt is second to none.”
Jackie Dean summarized her husband’s impact: “From city to county, his strength of conviction has benefitted thousands, of all age groups.”
The Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic will be held at noon on May 30 at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park’s Honor Plaza. Free roundtrip transportation from Festival Foods in Kenosha will be provided by Dousman Transport Co., subject to availability; those needing transport are asked to contact the county’s Veterans Service Office.
Dean graduated from Bradford High School—one of three largest high schools in Kenosha County during the 2023-24 school year alongside Indian Trail High School & Academy and Tremper High School (https://dpi.wi.gov/). In that same year across all schools in Kenosha County there were over 25,000 students enrolled; white students comprised just over half (55.6%), Hispanic students made up about one-quarter (25.7%), while Black students accounted for just over ten percent (10.4%) (https://dpi.wi.gov/).
American Indian students were among those least represented within local schools during that period (https://dpi.wi.gov/).
