Gary Tanner (sixth from left), founder and chair of the Michigan Wounded and Returning Warriors Program, is honored during the July 14 Dearborn City Council meeting.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – U.S. Army veteran Gary Tanner of Dearborn, founder and chair of the Michigan Wounded and Returning Warriors Program, was honored during the July 14 City Council meeting.
Tanner founded the program in 2010 after learning about the families of Michigan National Guard and reserve service members who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan who were in financial need, as well as the post-deployment needs of those who served, including home modifications, Veterans Administration claim assistance and post-traumatic stress therapy.
During the past three years, the Wounded and Returning Warrior Program has provided more than $500,000 in grants to Michigan military families and veterans, and more than 1,300 non-repayable grants of up to $3,000 have been given to Michigan National Guard and reserve members and their families.
Council President Michael Sareini said the program also provides grants to mental health professionals to conduct workshops focusing on the needs of veterans and military personnel.
He said Tanner received a National Guard volunteer award in 2025 from the American Legion Department for his leadership and the program.
Sareini said Tanner was also recognized with a Michigan National Guard Family Programs Community Purple Award.
Tanner said the recognitions he has received mean a lot to him, and said it was important to do “the right thing for the right reasons at the right time” to help military veterans and their families.