The City of Dearborn is set to celebrate U.S. Air Force veteran Janet Montoya on November 11, as she has been named the 2025 Veteran of the Year, an honor decided by previous recipients from the city; the ceremony will be hosted by the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council (DAWVC) and will unfold at Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, located at 15801 Michigan Ave, the City of Dearborn announced.
Montoya, whose service spanned from 1987 to 1995 played a crucial role maintaining F-4s, F-15s, and KC-10s at Seymour Johnson AFB and her deployment to the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Southern Watch marked her as the only female in her F-15E maintenance unit, she is now being recognized for her continued advocacy for veterans and community involvement which includes but is not limited to local veteran and military organizations and projects, "Janet’s longtime commitment to service and advocacy for veterans has made a difference in our community," Dearborn Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud said, per the City of Dearborn.
After trading in her uniform, she turned to supporting her fellow servicemen and women through her work with the American Legion Post 364 of Dearborn, where she notably became the first female Post Commander, her engagement doesn't stop there for she is also active with VFW Post #1329 and 40&8 Voiture #1002, and the American Legion Auxiliary, leading various fundraisers and volunteer initiatives aimed to support veterans and local families, her dedication to service spanning multiple organizations and efforts in the Dearborn community.
