Andy Boivin, of Shawano, is the commander of the Veterans of the Menominee Nation, which will hold their annual fishing derby on Legend Lake on Feb. 15.
Boivin was born in Keshena and graduated from Shawano High School. He attended Marquette University for one year and then joined the Air Force. He spent 15 years working as an aircraft mechanic in the military. He served in the Gulf War with the 2952nd Combat Logistics unit.
After his time in the service, Boivin moved to Neopit and worked for the Shawano County Highway Department for five years. In 1997 he was hired by the United States Postal Service. He is a city carrier.
Boivin has three children. He is an assistant den leader for his son’s Scout troop. He also is a member of Doc’s Harley Davidson Wolf River Hog Chapter.
In May 2011, the veterans took Andy’s father, James A. Boivin Sr., who served in the Air Force during the Korean War, World War II veteran Johnny Reiter and Yvonne Knowles, whose son, Martin Pamonicutt, was killed in Vietnam, to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II and Korean memorials and the Vietnam Wall. All three of them are now deceased.
Q How long have you been a member of the Veterans of the Menominee Nation?
A “I joined in 2000. I’ve been the commander since 2012.”
Q What do the veterans do to raise funds?
A “We have our annual fishing derby coming up. In the fall we have the Hunter’s Ball at the Menominee Casino. This year, we are having a golf outing at Pine Hills instead of the annual banquet. The fundraisers help us support all the activities of the veterans, elders and youth programs. … The fundraisers also help us maintain our uniforms.”
Q How do the veterans help others?
A “We give a scholarship to Menominee Indian High School. The elders usually come to us for assistance. One of the things we do is pay for and build ramps on houses. We donate to the elders’ Christmas party. We do a lot of powwows’ color guard for the grand entry. On Dec. 31, we have the Sobriety Powwow, and during the winter months there is a Winter Round House Powwow. All the tribes have powwows, and if we commit to them, we go. There are around two a month. We always go to powwows at Menominee, Stockbridge and Oneida. … We do a final salute and military rites for veterans funerals.
“We will be going to Madison when Menominee Tribal Chairman Craig Corn gives the State of the Tribes address at the Capitol. We’re doing the grand entry and posting the colors.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “I spent 15 years in the military, and after I got out there was always something missing. It’s the camaraderie about being around vets. I want to help the younger vets who come home. For me, it’s almost like a part-time job.”
The 25th annual Veterans of the Menominee Nation Powwow Gathering of Warriors honoring World War II veterans and Menominee Code Talkers will be held May 16-18.
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