Milt Dean, a Vietnam War veteran and longtime educator, 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 Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic on Friday, May 30, at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
The new annual award recognizes veterans for their achievements and contributions after military service. Dean’s selection reflects his decades-long commitment to education and community involvement 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 begin a teaching career that spanned more than three decades at Prairie Lane Elementary School. He was recognized as Teacher of the Year by the Kenosha Unified School District in 1986. Dean also led after-school programs and continues to instruct students following his retirement.
His involvement extends beyond education. Dean sponsors a Little League baseball team through American Legion Post 21 and serves on the board of Little Leaguers of Kenosha. He has donated over 15 gallons of blood—his rare AB negative type often benefits children—and helped raise funds for Special Olympics through school initiatives.
Dean participates actively in several veterans’ organizations including American Legion Post 21, Navy Club Ship 40, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1865. His work includes organizing events such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities, visiting nursing homes to support fellow veterans, and taking part in weekly gatherings like Heroes Café.
“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.”
Dean’s wife Jackie nominated him for the honor: “a proud veteran, loyal to both our country and our county.” She added: “From city to county, his strength of conviction has benefitted thousands, of all age groups.”
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.”
The upcoming picnic where Dean will be honored takes place at noon on May 30 at Veterans Memorial Park’s Honor Plaza. Free roundtrip transportation from Festival Foods will be available as space allows; those seeking transport are asked to contact the county’s Veterans Service Office.
Dean graduated from Bradford High School—one of Kenosha County’s largest schools with an enrollment of nearly 1,448 students during the recent academic year according to state data (https://dpi.wi.gov/). In total during that period there were over 25,000 students enrolled across county schools (https://dpi.wi.gov/), reflecting a diverse student body with white students comprising just over half (55.6%), Hispanic students making up roughly one quarter (25.7%), Black students accounting for about one tenth (10.4%), while American Indian students represented less than one percent (0.2%) (https://dpi.wi.gov/).
The event does not require registration except for those requesting transportation assistance.
