 
Winner of 75th Annual Kent County Veteran of the Year Announced
GRAND RAPIDS, MI. (Oct. 9, 2026) - The United Veterans Council of Kent County and Kent County Veterans Services are excited to announce the winner of the 75th annual Kent County Veteran of the Year event: Roger Haller.
"I am very humbled to have been selected as the veteran of the year," Haller said.
Haller was selected from 14 nominees recognized for their dedication to supporting fellow veterans and strengthening the local veteran community. He was nominated by Ron Oakes, commander of VFW Post 702 Grandville/Wyoming, who described Haller as an “integral part” of the post for more than five years.
“This veteran has many contacts in the community and has become the “go to” person for veterans’ needs,” Oakes said in the nomination form.
Haller served in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 to 2013 and currently serves as a VFW officer. He also works to connect veterans in need with essential resources, helping arrange car repairs, meal tickets, food baskets, monthly bus passes and clothing donations. He previously served as a DAV benefits officer.
His contributions include organizing a weekly Friday coffee social at a local restaurant where veterans can connect, share experiences and ask questions about VA benefits. And he organizes the annual Armed Forces Day Golf Outing, which raises money to support veterans, and has helped distribute more than 2,100 American flags to families in the community ahead of Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
The other 2026 Kent County Veteran of the Year nominees were Sheona Nidefski, Autumn Hartpence, Eric Winters, Tom Mroczkowski, Richard Cederholm, Michael Hyacinthe, Tony Moore, Harley Poplaski, Hank Jansma, Joshua Lunger, Andrew LaPres, Ken Brewer and Daniel Schoen.
Nearly 75 people attended the free 75th annual Veteran of the Year event Thursday, Oct. 8, at Venue3Two in Kentwood. The event was emceed by Juliet Dragos from WZZM and featured remarks from community partners and veterans who shared their stories and experiences.
This year marked the first time Kent County Veterans Services partnered with the United Veterans Council to host the event. The partnership is intended to help bring younger veterans into the council and encourage greater involvement in the local veteran community.
"We are so thankful to see so many people fill the room to celebrate our veterans," said Mel Bauman, Commander of the United Veterans Council of Kent County.
Media: If you are interested in speaking to Roger, he is available Friday, October 9, 2026 after 12pm. Please reach out to Dan Zar to coordinate interviews by calling 616-401-1477. You are welcome to use any pictures from the event in this DropBox folder.
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