Two Lenawee County veterans recognized as Veteran of the Year during annual fair program

ADRIAN — For the first time in its history of being a staple bandshell event each year at the Lenawee County Fair, two Lenawee County veterans were recognized with the honor of Veteran of the Year during Wednesday’s program.

Jim Flarity, a 12-year Army veteran with 39 months deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Audra Micon, who served in the United States Navy from 2000-04 and continued to serve as a military spouse, with her husband serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, were both bestowed with the Veteran of the Year honor. It’s the first time two veterans have received the award at one time during the veterans program, according to Dave Loop, United Veterans Council Commander for Lenawee County and the master of ceremonies for the veterans program.

“Their resumes were both too strong to choose one over the other,” Loop said following the ceremony. “It was a great opportunity for us to recognize both of them. They are very active in the community and within their (veterans') posts, and that’s what we need. They are both go-getters, and we need more people like that.”

Flarity has been married for 17 years to his wife, Fallon, and the couple have two children, Riley and Finnegan. Currently, he serves as commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post No. 1584 in Adrian and adjutant for both the Disabled American Veterans and American Legion Post No. 97 in Adrian. He also has served as the past sergeant at arms for Post No. 97 and is an active Honor Guard member, having participated in more than 100 veterans’ funerals.

He also volunteers at each American Legion fish fry dinner and assists with breakfasts put on by the Sons of the American Legion. Flarity provides American flags for the Adrian police and fire departments during each May 1 Loyalty Day program, and he coordinates programs with organizations including Young Marines and the Boy Scouts of America.

Micon is involved with American Legion Post No. 550 in Onsted. She currently serves as second vice president and second vice commander of the Onsted post. As second vice commander, she is responsible for organizing events and fundraising for the post. Recently, she helmed the efforts of an eight-week cornhole tournament that raised money for the Post 550, brought members of the post and the community together, and created interest in the program.

“During the tournament, she recruited three new members to join Post 550,” Loop said.

Micon is an active member of the American Legion Honor Guard where she has performed military honors during funerals for local veterans as well as assisting their families during memorial services. She participates in parades around Lenawee and Jackson counties.

Outside of her work with the Legion, she delivers meals to Lenawee County senior citizens through the Lenawee County Department on Aging, Loop said. She is an active volunteer with the Lenawee Humane Society and she is involved with the Lenawee County 4-H program.

She is a homeschool teacher where she instructs her 12-year-old twin sons.

While all military branches of service and eras were recognized at the ceremony, Loop specifically gave details and talked about the Korean War, which is often referred to as the “Forgotten War” because it was largely overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War. The Korean War was fought from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. It pitted the United States, South Korea and the allies of the United Nations against North Korea and communist China.

“The Korean War was relatively short but extremely bloody,” Loop said. “Nearly 5 million people died. Almost 40,000 Americans died in action in Korea and more than 100,000 were wounded.”

In July 2014, a plaque honoring veterans of the Korean War was placed at Monument Park in Adrian, Loop said.

Aiden Mahony, a rising senior at Madison High School, won the best essay as a junior in the local Voice of Democracy contest this winter, offered through the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ youth essays and scholarships program. The theme of this year’s topic was “America: Where Do We Go From Here?” Mahoney read his winning essay during the ceremony.

Another speaker was the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, — portrayed by Kevin Wood. He congratulated the nominees for Lenawee County Veteran of the Year and thanked all veterans for their service.

Complimentary meals were provided following the service.

Veterans throughout the county were encouraged to attend the ceremony. Veterans' organizations that attended and provided their flags to be displayed on the bandshell stage included Adrian Legion Post No. 97, Adrian Legion Post No. 275, Onsted Legion Post No. 550, Blissfield Legion Post No. 325, Adrian Disabled American Veterans chapter No. 20, American Veterans Post No. 1957 of Adrian and Adrian Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 1584.

Friday at the fair

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

GRANDSTAND: Diesel and Gas Truck Pull, 7 p.m.; general admission $10, box seats $15, pit 10 and older $12, pit 9 and younger $10. Tickets are in addition to regular fair admission.

BANDSHELL: MoTown, 8 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Two veterans share recognition at Lenawee County Fair