For Christopher Spisak, recognizing Lake County’s veterans is necessary.
“It wasn’t necessarily about me,” said Spisak, an employee in the county’s 911 department and veteran. “It lets everybody know that their years of service for this country are continuing to be recognized while they’re serving the county.”
More than 100 employees in Lake County government on Thursday were recognized at a ceremony. Students from Hobart High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps were also recognized and presented the colors.
Veterans Day is officially recognized Nov. 11, but Lake County government celebrated the holiday early.
Lake County Council President Christine Cid recognized the veterans, and each received a special pin from the county.
“I am so proud of all the men and women and their courage and dedication, not only for your service, but also for your work as public servants,” said Cid, D-East Chicago. “I think we take freedom for granted, and we need to appreciate what America is and that we have so much to live for.”
Lake County Veterans Service Officer Jason Gootee, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2003 to 2007, said it’s important to recognize county employees who are military veterans.
“Traditionally, (Veterans Day) is set aside to recognize the service and sacrifices by the men and women in the armed forces,” Gootee said. “We have gratitude for those who fought to preserve our freedoms.”
Lake County Commission President Michael Repay, D-Hammond, appreciates not only the military service completed, but the work the employees are now doing within county government, he said Thursday.
Repay also thanked Gootee and his staff for their work in the county’s Veterans Service Office. The department assists veterans from Northwest Indiana, including in Porter and Jasper counties.
The office has various responsibilities, including informing veterans, dependents and survivors of their eligibility for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to the county’s website.
“They do a heck of a job on behalf of people that should be getting all these services, all these benefits, all this cash, all these things that they’ve already earned,” Repay said. “I’m thankful for (Gootee’s) staff and people like him who have done the work of helping veterans and their families go through this obstacle course.”
Spisak served from 2009 to 2015 with the Indiana National Guard. Although he wasn’t deployed, Spisak said he’s proud of his years of service.
Spisak didn’t know so many county employees had served, he said.
“When you look out at everybody here, you realize just how diverse the service is,” he added. “From every man and woman, everybody involved is so diverse, and it’s a big happy family.”
