Genesee County, MI — Lorraine Ahearne stood in front of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, fighting back tears, to recount the trauma she suffered at the passing of her husband, Mike, almost a year ago to the day.

Mike, a proud veteran of the U.S. Marines, spent his entire career in law enforcement. He retired from the City of Flint, where he was a Homicide Detective. He, like so many before him, was exposed to toxins while serving in the Marine Corps and ultimately died of cancer due to the exposure.

“When he died, everything stopped,” Lorraine said. “I’d lost my husband of 38 years … my life was in turmoil.”

Her life insurance was cancelled, Mike’s pension abruptly terminated along with all medical benefits. She did not know where to turn; she was left to pick up the pieces and to navigate what can be an overwhelming mishmash of paperwork, phone calls and appointments to determine eligibility for survivor benefits.

But fortunately for Lorraine, her story didn’t end there. She had come to the Board to thank Commissioners for their consistent support of the County’s Department of Veterans Service (GCDVS), led by retired Lt. Col. Derrick Britton, which was there for her when she needed them the most.

She said her husband, who earned these benefits, would be proud and relieved that she is being taken care of.

“Serving our military veterans and their families is not just a duty; it’s a profound honor,” said Delrico J. Loyd, Chairman of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners. “Our desire as a body is to ensure our Veterans are being cared for in a manner worthy of their service to this great country, especially during times of great hardship. It is our solemn responsibility to provide them with the resources they need for hope and reconciliation.”

Beyond the assistance offered to local veterans by GCDVS, Lorraine shared one anecdote that put everything we do in service to our veterans in perspective. We do more than just share information and connect people to services, we are with veterans and their families every step of the way.

“Beth (Smith) held my hand; we shared tears and laughed together,” she said of Beth Smith, a Certified Veteran Service Officer with GCDVS.

Britton, who embraced Lorraine after her time at the lectern, knows all too well the burden of that many family members of deceased veterans carry.

“We want veterans, and their families, people like Lorraine, to know that we’re here to help,” Britton said. “This is what we do, and it’s our honor to do it.”

If you or someone you know needs veterans’ services, please contact GCDVS at 810-230-3068 or by email at v@geneseecountymi.gov.