Staff photo/Rhonda Silence Richard McKenzie of Grand Marais is now the Cook County Veterans Service Officer.
Richard McKenzie of Grand Marais, who served his first day as Cook County Veterans Service Officer on April 26, is looking forward to working with local veterans.
McKenzie and his wife, Debora, moved to Grand Marais three years ago, after he retired from a 30-year career as Operations Director at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. McKenzie said they, like so many others, moved north because of the beauty and tranquility of the Lake. He said they wanted to get out of the city. However, despite enjoying frequent visits from their four children, McKenzie was looking for something else to do. When he heard about the opportunity to work with local veterans, he decided to give it a try.
McKenzie served in the US Army from April 1968 – April 1970. He was stationed at Spangdahlem Air Force Base in what was to be a temporary duty that ended up being 19 months. He said he learned a lot at the F4 fighter base and he enjoyed Germany. “I really liked the food,” he said with a grin.
McKenzie expressed gratitude to out-going veteran’s services officer Dale Tormondsen. “This is new to me,” he said. “We are working together to make the hand-off go smoothly.”
He already has a trip scheduled, to take a veteran to the Minneapolis VA hospital. McKenzie said he believes the community should do all it can to assist its veterans and he looks forward to learning more—and communicating to veterans about what benefits are available to them.
To contact McKenzie,
call (218) 370-9726;
e-mail veteran.services@co.cook.mn.us;
or write VSO Richard McKenzie,
PO Box 246,
Grand Marais MN 55604.
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