As the holiday season approaches, please take a moment to reflect on what is truly important to you. It’s not about things or places, it’s about what you value most in your life.

Here at the Dickinson County Veteran Service Office, Lacey Ellison and I truly value the opportunity we have been given to serve our veterans and their dependents. Working on their behalf in obtaining their benefits from a system that can be overwhelming and difficult to maneuver.

Lacey and I are honored to have the opportunity to listen to their stories, to work and walk with them in their journey through life. Our veterans are an amazing group of men and women who have served our country with dedication and commitment. Many of them are still giving of their time and talents for the betterment of our community.

We are thankful for the opportunities that we have had to help our veterans improve their quality of live, by helping them become eligible for VA medical care, housing the homeless, providing food vouchers or helping them obtain monetary compensation for injuries caused by their service. Working with caregivers and dependents so that they, too, can apply for the benefits they may be eligible to receive.

Lacey and I are thankful to have the support of our county controller, Brian Bousley; the Dickinson County Board; our county veterans’ board; the veterans alliance; and local service organizations. Most importantly, the support of our community, by collaborating together we are able to fulfill the needs of our veterans and their dependents.

We look forward to continuing our service to the veterans of Dickinson County and their dependents in the coming year. As you begin holiday preparations, remember those who served and made it possible for us to enjoy our freedoms. Thank our veterans when you see them in the community. From our office to your home, we wish each of you a very merry and happy holiday season.

If you are thinking of making donations this holiday season, please consider the gift of food or gas cards to any of the many non-profit organizations throughout our area who provide assistance to those less fortunate.

The office is at 2301 Woodward Ave. in Kingsford; or they can be reached at 906-774-2820. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment Monday to Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. by walk-in Fridays.

Upcoming events —

— Through Dec. 24: Lights at the Lake, Dickinson County Lake Antoine Park.

— Dec. 15: Lights at the Lake open house, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

— Dec. 24-25: County Veteran Service Office closed.

— Dec. 25: Christmas Day.

— Dec. 31-Jan. 1: County Veteran Service Office closed.

— Dec. 31: American Legion Post 50 spaghetti dinner, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Raffle tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the post or at door.

— Last Sunday of each month: American Legion, Norway all-you-can-eat breakfast, 8 to 11 a.m.

Weekly events:

— Tuesdays: Bingo, American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain, doors open at 4:30 p.m., with bingo starting at 6. Food is available during bingo sessions.

— Fridays: Fish fry, American Legion Post 50 in Iron Mountain, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Can dine in or carry out.