Programs
Pat Daniels Veteran of the Year Award Program
Through this program, the Macomb County Board of Commissioners expresses to the county’s large community of veterans how deeply they appreciate the selfless contributions the veterans have made toward serving and protecting our country. Each year, near Veterans’ Day, the Board recognizes a veteran who has made significant contributions by honoring them with the Pat Daniels Macomb County Veteran of the Year Award.
2021 Award Winner - Pazzella Colston Bonner
The Macomb County Board of Commissioners honored Pazzella Colston Bonner with the 2021 Pat Daniels Veteran of the Year Award for the significant contributions she makes in helping our Veterans. As a former US Army soldier with a passion for giving back, she co-founded Homes for Heroic Veterans. Her mission is to end homelessness for the Veteran population in our community.
2020 Award Winner - Phil Randazzo
Phil Randazzo was honored by the Macomb County Board Commissioners as the Pat Daniels Veteran of the Year in 2020. Phil is a Vietnam Veteran of the United States Army who unselfishly gives his time, energy and undaunted efforts to Macomb County’s large and growing community of veterans in need. Phil serves his community as a compassionate and empathetic advocate for our county’s veterans. He is instrumental in the organization of the annual Memorial Day Parade and Veteran’s Day ceremonies for the township and also serves as a devoted member of the Macomb County Older Adult Advisory Committee where he is the voice of his fellow older adult residents and veterans of Shelby Township.
2019 Award Winner - Pat Daniels
Patrick Daniels was honored by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners as Macomb County’s first Veteran of the Year in 2019 and is the namesake of the Macomb County Commissioners Veteran of the Year award. Patrick served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and has received many awards and accolades for the significant contributions he made toward protecting our country. Patrick has volunteered his time and efforts for more than 18 years as a member of the Macomb County Veteran Affairs Committee, on which he has served as Chair of the Committee for 12 years. As Chair, Patrick was a crucial proponent in making the Macomb County Veteran Services Office the best in the state. Patrick also serves as one of the charter members of Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 154 and as a treasurer of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Michigan Chapter 35-3. Patrick raises considerable donations for various veterans associations throughout Macomb County. Each year he organizes a highly popular and well-attended Memorial Ride for Freedom event which raises significant amounts of funding which are donated to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit as well as the Fisher House Foundations.
