VA's Barnett Given Send OffPeople from different departments in the county, along with county officials, were on hand Thursday afternoon to give Mike Barnett a send off into retirement.
Barnett served as the Kosciusko County veteran services officer since January 2002. Barnett recently decided to resign his post.During his time in the county's veteran affairs office, Barnett was able to grow the amount of money county veterans received from roughly $2.7 million to more than $6 million. That money goes to veterans in the form of compensation, health care and education.
Barnett said that roughly 6,700 veterans are served through the county's veteran affairs office.
Barnett is a veteran of the US Navy, having served from 1961 to 1965. That included serving in Guam for more than a year.
He was also a 22-year veteran of the Indiana State Police.
"He's one of the best troopers this county has ever seen," said County Commissioner Bob Conley.
Conley, along with commissioner Ron Truex, presented Barnett a certificate for his service.
Barnett and his wife, Myra, will soon leave for Florida to spend the winter there, though they will return to the area in the spring.
Barnett's son Tyson lives in Warsaw. Barnett was also father to stepson Jason Rodger, who is deceased.
