Noah Johnson | Daily Press Veterans and their families gather at 10 Pins Alley in Manistique for a day of bowling and banter hosted by the Schoolcraft County Veterans Affairs Office.

MANISTIQUE — The Schoolcraft County Veterans Affairs Office hosted roughly 20 veterans and their families on Tuesday for a day of bowling. The day was a spin on the office’s monthly coffee hour.

Veterans and their families gathered at 10 Pins Alley in Manistique for a light breakfast and a free game of bowling.

Owners Rick and Linda Cole opened the alley early just for the veterans, and they couldn’t be happier to do it.

“I hope to make this an annual thing,” Rick said.

Veteran Service Officer Jodi Wilson was extremely thankful to Rick and Linda for allowing the group to bowl for free.

“Rick and Linda from 10 Pins allowed us to come in, and they are covering the cost of having this bowling event today for our veterans. He’s (Rick) a veteran as well, so he knows the importance of trying to get everybody together in the community to, you know, make a difference,” Wilson said.

Wilson added that the group is always looking for ways to engage with each other through coffee hour, guest speakers, and, of course, bowling.

“Every month, we are trying to do something special for the veterans, getting them together to do like a monthly coffee hour, (or) we’ll do different activities. We’re just trying to find an event that gets them together to enjoy each other’s company,” she said.

The day was right up the veteran’s alley, with some attendees even bringing their own equipment.

The office is able to operate and put on functions for veterans thanks to the County Veteran Service Fund Grant.

“The grant has funded a lot over the years. The first year was kind of a free-for-all; it was new to the stage (and) it was new to us. But now, as long as the governor approves the budget, it’s a lot,” said Grant Administrator Julie Roscioli.

To learn more about the Schoolcraft County Veterans Affair Office, visit its Facebook page at Schoolcraft County Veterans Affair Office or call 906-641-3669.

Wilson and Roscioli encourage local veterans and their families to contact the office if they are interested in joining the group’s monthly meeting, saying they are there for support.

“It’s very important to continue to get that out there to our vets, and again, what we’re trying to do is just grow this group and really get people in the community engaged and allow a safe space for veterans to share with one another and enjoy,” Wilson said.