Jeff Butler is top Veteran Advocate

Jeff Butler of Frederic was recently honored with the County Veterans Service Officer Association of Wisconsin Veteran Advocate of the Year Award.

Butler, a U.S. Army veteran, commander of American Legion Post 249, and river interpreter with the National Park Service-St. Croix Scenic Riverway (Trego office), was nominated for the award by several County Veteran Service Officers in northwest Wisconsin including Doug Stubbe, Burnett County; Kevin Johnson, Bayfield County; David Till, Pierce County; Lisa Powers, Washburn County; and Renee Brown, Sawyer County.

Those nominated for the award must provide, or have provided, outstanding service to veterans and their families and have demonstrated a high degree of compassion for their constituents. Butler was nominated for this award for "his selfless service to veterans by utilizing the outdoors to promote healing and wellness for veterans."

Butler has set up activities such as campouts, fly fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and Honor Cruises for over 500 veterans and their families. His partners have included County Veterans Service Officers, UW campus represenatives, veterans groups, MACV in Minnesota, the St. Croix River Association, Rivers Of Recovery, and local businesses. He also organized several retreats.

According to those who nominated him, Butler "humbles himself in the presence of other veterans, never asks for anything in return, and directs attention and credit to his partners. His driving force is his sincerity and passion for what he does for those who served."

The impact Butler has made for veterans is echoed in a statement from Norb Laufenberg, VA counselor at the LaCrosse Veterans Center, to Butler's supervisor at the National Park Service:

"The program for veterans on the river has ignited an interest in our veterans that was not there before, and had been encouraged for years. Jeff's commitment to our veterans has changed their lives, and improved their quality of living."

Butler was presented his award at the CVSO Association of Wisconsin fall banquet held in October in Baraboo.

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