The 2025 Salute to Veterans will be held Saturday, Aug. 16, on the piers in South Haven, welcoming veterans from across Michigan for a day of fishing, fellowship and community celebration.
The event traces its roots to more than four decades ago, when Glenn Higgs and Jeff Dean began bringing veterans from Battle Creek to the River Bend Boat Club for fishing trips. The day would end with a fish fry before returning the veterans to Battle Creek. Organizers say that tradition has grown into a large-scale annual gathering.
On Friday, Aug. 15, visiting veterans will arrive in South Haven, staying at Camp Warner. Activities include events at the Rod and Gun Club, dinner at the American Legion, and an early reveille the next morning. On Saturday, veterans will be paired with volunteer captains and head out onto Lake Michigan by 6 a.m.
This year, 30 members of the South Haven Steelheaders are donating their time and boats to host about 75 veterans from Operation Injured Soldier, along with others from the VA hospital in Battle Creek. Upon their return to port, the community will have an opportunity to greet them at the piers and channel, with an escort by sheriff’s boats, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the South Haven Fire Department’s hook and ladder truck displaying an American flag. The American Legion honor guard and South Haven High School band will also participate.
The day concludes with a luncheon at the Moose Lodge, featuring awards such as the Glenn Higgs trophy for the captain with the largest catch and the Big Fish Award, which includes a taxidermy mount donated annually by Dean’s Taxidermy of Bloomingdale. Organizers encourage the public to attend the pier welcome and celebrate local veterans.
More information is available on the South Haven Salute to Veterans Facebook page.
