Thanking all Military Veterans & Honoring Local Hero Kevin D. Kelsheimer for his Dedicated Services to the Local Veterans of our Community

Home Browse Search

: ®3ourx s w�r � �.,.._ ` / I RememberOur % . ha" '/1 VETERANS 1111111 1 "" RESOLUTION NO. 1 CC))`� ' 5`, A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, PUBLICLY THANKING ALL MILITARY VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND HONORING LOCAL HERO KEVIN D. KELSHEIMER FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICES TO THE LOCAL VETERANS OF OUR COMMUNITY AS THE ST.JOSEPH COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER ,the Common Council recognizes that each year Americans pause to thank and celebrate Veterans Day which is dedicated to honoring all of the men and women who have served in the United States military. This public holiday began as a day of remembrance and was declared an official holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 as Armistice Day and then was officially changed to Veterans Day in 1954; and the Common Council is especially grateful and honored to thank tonight two special individuals who have continued to serve veterans, long after their military service was completed: Marine Kevin D. Kelsheimer who serves as the St.Joseph County Veteran Service Officer and former Army Specialist with the 571st Military Police Company Danielle Green-Byrd who serves as the South Bend Vet Center's Supervisory Readjustment Counseling Therapist Team Leader; and , Kevin was born in Fort Wayne and later moved to South Bend in 1960. He is a graduate of Clay High School and attended Southwestern Michigan College. In February of 1969 during the Vietnam War, Kevin enlisted in the Marines. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Valor, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam RVN Cross of Gallantry Medal. After his deployment in Vietnam he served as an MP at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and was honorably discharged in 1972. In 1973 Kevin joined the St. Joseph County Police Department where he became their first scuba diver and established their first diving team, retiring from the Department in 2001 after 27 ''A years of service; and olirwrate, in 2006, Kevin became the new St. Joseph County Veterans Service Officer who helps with all veteran-related needs and assists in finding information and resources to help solve service-related problems while serving as a liaison for all veteran services. Kevin has received numerous awards from the Marine Corps League and the American Legion for providing critical assistance to local veterans in helping them receive over $33 million for qualifying disability claims, pension and other veteran's benefits since his appointment in 2006. . orot a ra Le areto%d� *go are �'ueml"9fde° "`r1�illA fend> JQama. aef&taart: Section I. On behalf of all of the residents of the City of South Bend, Indiana, the Common Council is proud to recognize Kevin D. Kelsheimer and publicly thank and commend this special veteran for his hard-work, dedication, courage, and his very caring attitude in daily serving over 25,000 military veterans, their spouses, widows and children living in St. Joseph County as the St. Joseph County Veteran Service Officer. Kevin's own words sum it up best: "When I witness a 6'3" man break down and cry when he receives his veterans benefits at a crisis period in his life, my job has meaning". Section II. The Common Council thanks all veterans and their families for their service, sacrifice and dedication We are so grateful for Kevin&thank his wife Rose, and their three sons Rick, Bruce and Vince with two of them having served in the Marine Corps and their youngest son serving two tours of duty overseas, for their dedication. Section III. ---Tris Resolution shall be in full force and effect from ant rc ' . s adoption by the Common Council Ti%:.co[- pct Oliver.11savis, ;' `Di icS h • ,l /i D. is,J 2nd District Derek D.Dieter,At Large k . Valerie Sch-IF' a rict Gavin ern`t Large �� Dr.Fred Ferlic,4'h District Karen . White,At Large OF 4 _ e.—. �-_ A I D: •td Varner,5"' District Kathleen Cekanski Farrand,Council Attorney --.11C., \.) AL....1 I=Ct '14.7.1 John Voorde,City Clerk Pete But '•i f ayor of South Bend