August 2026
 Koski Classic Car Show a Hit - Again - at the Jacobetti
The annual Nathan Koski Classic Car Show at the Jacobetti has become a favorite. Cars and trucks from eras gone by (and some from eras more current) convene at the Jacobetti for the enjoyment of veterans, staff, visitors, and all involved. This year was - again - a hit.
The event is also a way to pause - a memorial of sorts - in remembrance of Nathan Koski, a resident care aide at the Jacobetti who left us too soon, on July 19, 2023. Salutatorian of his graduating class, a member of the Republic Twp. Volunteer Fire Department, an avid cribbage and horseshoe player, guitarist, bowler, and car enthusiast, Nathan wore many titles. The most important, however, were surely those of husband, father, brother, and son. Nathan made quite an impact on the lives of those he touched, and we're grateful our veterans and staff get the opportunity to remember him often, though especially through the annual Nathan Koski Classic Car Show at the Jacobetti.
 Celebrating America's Birthday, with those Who've Stood to Defend it
250 years of independence hits a little differently when you're amongst those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, and in other times of peace and conflict. Jacobetti veterans attended the annual 4th of July parade in Ishpeming, while our members in Grand Rapids enjoyed live music, bingo, and the parade in Grandville. In southeast Michigan, at our home in Chesterfield Twp., veterans enjoyed some Independence Day Family Feud and other trivia, along with some bingo. It was, indeed, a good birthday.
We're incredibly fortunate - and grateful - to be able to serve such amazing people at Michigan Veteran Homes. Our veterans lived the history we - and our children - read about in textbooks, and they paved the way for the freedoms we have today.
A belated Happy 250th to all.
 Kent City Football: Another Year of Service to Michigan Veterans
We're fortunate at MVH to be supported by a great number of individuals and organizations. We're exceptionally inspired when our community's youth comes out to connect with and support the mission and members of our homes. In Grand Rapids, for several years now, the Kent City Football Team comes to the Veterans Home to spend time with our veterans and to make an impact on our campus in a variety of ways. That tradition continued this year with a great visit, and some great work on our grounds. Thanks, Kent City Football - and Go Eagles!
 Field Day at MVH at Chesterfield Twp.
The annual field day with staff and members at MVH at Chesterfield Twp. is...it's just awesome. This year was no exception, with beautiful weather, frozen treats, tie dyed shirts, a dunk tank, and so much more.
Make no mistake: we're proud of the care we're delivering at our homes. But quality of life is equally important at MVH. Needing nursing home level care for veterans should not - and at MVH, does not - mean a decrease in one's quality of life. In fact, we often find that veterans coming into our home experience the opposite: life is better here. If you're interested in supporting the mission and members of Michigan Veteran Homes, reach out to us at dmva-MVHgiving@michigan.gov to see how your time, talents, and/or treasures can be put to work to serve our veterans.
 Celebrating 5 years in the new building at Grand Rapids
Late July saw the 5 year birthday party of moving over to the new and beautiful building on the MVH at Grand Rapids campus. The home celebrated all week, with different themes daily, but the "big party" was on July 23rd, with a "State Fair" themed party in the back parking lot for staff and members to enjoy food trucks, a traveling farm, bandstand events, a pie eating contest, dunk tanks, and more.
It's hard to believe it's been five years in the new building at Grand Rapids. With MVH at Chesterfield Twp. opening anew in 2021, Grand Rapids opening the replacement home in 2021, and Jacobetti constructing a replacement home currently, we'll soon have three incredible (new to almost new) homes for our veterans in different locations across the State. We're proud of the care and quality of life we're delivering - and we're doing it in infrastructure that's worthy of those who've worn the cloth of our nation.
2026 marks:
- 140 years of caring for veterans on the Grand Rapids campus (5 years in the new building),
- 45 years of caring for veterans at the Jacobetti in Marquette, and
- 5 years of caring for veterans at MVH at Chesterfield Twp.
Delivering the care and quality of life veterans earned, and deserve.
 Making an Impact in the Lives of Veterans
We do more for veterans at Michigan Veteran Homes, thanks to the remarkable generosity of our communities. One example of that generosity (out of many) in July, was our friends at Courage Incorporated taking some of our Jacobetti veterans out for a pontoon fishing trip. Our veterans served all of us, and together with our communities, we ensure they receive the best possible quality of life at MVH.
Thank you, Courage Inc., and to all of the amazing individuals and organizations who support the mission and members of MVH!
 Celebrating a Milestone Birthday in Chesterfield Twp.
We were so excited last month that we got to "celebrate a century" for one of our residents at MVH at Chesterfield Twp. 100 years young for the remarkable Mr. Sypniewski! Home leadership and staff joined in to celebrate, as did Chesterfield Twp. Supervisor Brad Kersten who came by to share words of gratitude and celebration.
Looking back to Mr. Sypniewski's birth year:
- Winnie-the-Pooh was published,
- Eggs were .56 cents/dozen,
- A new car averaged approx. $515,
- A new house cost about $6,296, and
- radios were becoming a staple in American homes, with approximately 60% of households owning one.
Times have changed a bit. But we're fortune to serve those who've served us - and we're grateful to do so in partnership with our communities. Thank you for your service, Mr. Sypniewski, and Happy Birthday!
Across the Nation, at Other State Veterans Homes. . .
Donations to Michigan Veteran Homes are tax-deductible under 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Michigan Veteran Homes are making a difference in the lives of Michigan veterans and their loved ones. Join us.
Want to learn more about participating in the representative democracy our veterans stood to protect? Visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
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