Jack Pickard will get it done.
The retired service manager and Vietnam veteran is unstoppable when it comes to helping veterans. Any age, any need, any war, Pickard will pitch in, whether its filling and mailing packages to active-duty soldiers serving in Afghanistan or Iraq, driving disabled vets downstate for medical appointments or helping veterans or family members of veterans unsnarl paperwork.
He has also served in leadership posts at the local, state and national level, including VFW State Commander in 2003-04 and on the national board representing Michigan and South Dakota from 2005-07. He is in the midst of his second term as VFW Post 2780 commander, with his first hitch completed in the early 1980s and has served for many years as the post's service officer.
Recognizing his years of service and leadership, the Grand Traverse Veteran's Coalition named Pickard Veteran of the Year during a Veteran's Day dinner last month. The coalition is an umbrella organization of area veterans groups, representing about 8,500 veterans in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties.
They managed to surprise him, as is their wont, thanks to some maneuvering by Pickard's wife, Cecilia, and other veterans.
"He's always doing stuff for veterans, he's helped veterans in need,” said Al Ockert, a Korean War veteran who received the award last year. "He's shipped more packages overseas to troops, more than anyone I know of.”
Giving "110 percent” of himself to a range of veteran's causes, Pickard has no use for politics — unless it's motivating politicians to support veterans.
If someone needs help, he's there in word and deed.
"I take care of the veterans,” he said. "We're veterans helping veterans and we honor the dead by helping the living.”
Pickard is a member of seven veterans organizations, including a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the American Military League, an AMVETS post in Bay City, the VFW and the Vietnam Veterans of America. He is also a member of the American Legion and the Polish Legion of the American Veterans.
That list of memberships barely scratches the surface of the hours and devotion to both service and leadership within each.
"As a disabled veteran, it took me many years to receive my disability and I guess I fight for others so that their time span isn't so long,” he said of just one facet of his work.
"My cell phone is free to anybody … you can't help them if they can't call you.” Pickard added of his overall philosophy.
Turning 21 while serving in Vietnam — he was there from June 1970 through May of 1971 — the Traverse City native received a free membership from the VFW Post 2780 while still overseas. This gift sparked a lifelong affiliation with the organization and prompts Pickard to duplicate the action decades later.
"Because of that, I push every year to give free memberships to all active duty military,” he said of the organization whose mission is to assist veterans and the community and educate youth on American principles. "It got me to check it out when I came back.”
Then there's the packages shipped through the Military Assistance Program. Pickard estimates that he has facilitated shipment of 1,491 boxes to soldiers serving overseas in the past four years. The post's budget of just over $21,000 for postage comes from funds raised locally.
Part of his motivation stems from his time spent fighting overseas.
"My grandma spoiled me and my mom would send me boxes, I might be the only one in my platoon who got one and of course you shared,” Pickard recalled.
"We ship to any local vet we know of or a friend or family member, no matter where the person is stationed out of,” he added of contemporary efforts.
Not to mention baskets delivered at Christmas and meals at Thanksgiving to local families, laptops and digital cameras given away, bikes provided to kids who would not have one otherwise and adopting families for the holidays — four this year.
"Normally I adopt one family, but this year is bad,” Pickard said.