Local processor honored for initiative to keep vets’ freezers fully stocked

Local businessman Anthony “Tony” Erickson was recently honored for his selfless dedication to supporting veterans in Moffat County.

Erickson is the owner of AGP Processing, a business he established in 2004.

Ed Wilkinson, the former veterans services officer for Moffat County, presented Erickson with a plaque recognizing his outstanding efforts in the community.

Wilkinson said that in his capacity as veterans services officer, his main responsibility was “taking care of veterans.” He found a kindred spirit in Erickson, who previously approached Wilkinson about an initiative to aid local veterans. Despite not being a veteran himself, Erickson conceived of a plan to provide free beef to veterans, rallying ranchers to donate the meat.

Each bundle of meat, weighing approximately 25-30 pounds, would then be processed by Erickson and distributed to veterans at no cost.

“He’s been doing this out of the goodness of his heart,” Wilkinson said.

Erickson’s program, which began in August 2023, has already made a significant impact.

Over 180 bundles of beef have been distributed to veterans in need. Erickson cuts and wraps all of the meat free of charge.

Wilkinson felt that Erickson deserved recognition for his efforts.

“I thought it would be nice to recognize him for his kindheartedness to the veterans,” he said, noting that Erickson “is helping the community also.”

Reflecting on the project’s inception, Erickson said when he and Wilkinson first discussed the project several years ago, he wasn’t really in a position to take it on. But after taking over the full space of his business location, Erickson realized it was “time to go back and revisit the idea and come up with a game plan.”

He said that Wilkinson initiated some contacts and he followed up on them, which led to ranchers starting to donate.

“And off and running we went.”

Erickson said the experience so far “has been great” and offered thanks for the support of the community, which he says “has a history of always taking care of our own, especially when it comes to our veterans.”

While Wilkinson isn’t sure how many bundles have been given out since his departure from his veterans services position in February 2024, he wagers that it’s a healthy figure.

Erickson said that he currently has around 20 bundles on hand for veterans.

As the project approaches its first anniversary in August 2024, Erickson remains hopeful for the future. While donations and processing may require additional time and funding, he believes in the project’s significance. He is looking forward to reaching more veterans and being able to start giving out a second round of bundles.

“That was kind of our hope,” Erickson said. “We know how many (veterans) there are in our community, and of course you get new ones all the time, but our ultimate hope was to be able to give it over again.”

Erickson noted that subsequent rounds of gifting may require some extra time and possibly extra funding at some point. Both Erickson and Wilkinson expressed hopes of continuing to provide assistance to veterans in Moffat County, with Erickson concluding that the project “just makes sense.”

For those seeking veterans services, including Erickson’s free-meat-for-vets project, Ron Epplin is now serving as the veterans services officer for Moffat County and can be reached at 970-824-0384.