HomeMy WebLinkAboutThanking all Military Veterans & Honoring Local Hero Kevin D. Kelsheimer for his Dedicated Services to the Local Veterans of our Community RESOLUTION
4507-15
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
November 9, 15
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Attest: Uva cril c_ J City Clerk
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Attest' President of Common Council
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
November 10, 20 15
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Approved and signed by me N[Nei., be r ID / PO )5 .
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"" 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.
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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
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D. is,J 2nd District Derek D.Dieter,At Large
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Valerie Sch-IF' a rict Gavin ern`t Large ��
Dr.Fred Ferlic,4'h District Karen . White,At Large
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I D: •td Varner,5"' District Kathleen Cekanski Farrand,Council Attorney
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John Voorde,City Clerk Pete But '•i f ayor of South Bend
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The South Bend Common Council,4th Floor County-City Building, South Bend, Indiana 46601
574.235.9321 TDD 574.235.5567
November 3, 2015
Members of the South Bend Common Council
4th Floor County-City Building
South Bend, Indiana 46601
Re: Two (2) Resolutions Honoring Two (2) Local Heroes—Veterans Day 2015
Dear Council Members:
We are especially proud to honor two (2) special Veterans as we participate, as a grateful nation, in honoring all
of our Veterans for their commitment to serve, their individual sacrifice, their valor, and their love of country.
We are asking that the attached two special Resolutions be heard together under "Special Business" so that we
may honor two local heroes together. We are most humbled that we will have Danielle Green and Kevin D.
Kelsheimer present at our next Common Council meeting to represent our community's and our nation's
veterans.
Following their service in two different wars — one in Vietnam and one in Iraq, both decided to give back by
providing critical and needed services to our local veterans. Each of them provide the help and assistance which
goes far beyond any debriefing which a veteran may have had. Each day they commit their time and talents to
working with veterans who may be challenged — whether it be to help provide assistance when dealing with
physically, emotionally, psychologically or returning to civilian life issues; or trying to assist a veteran, a
surviving spouse or family maneuver through the red tape and legalize of applying for veteran benefits.
As we celebrate Veterans Day 2015, let us all give thanks for those who served and are serving. Thank you.
Most sincerely,
Dr. Fred Ferlic
4th District Council Member
Gavin Ferlic
Council Member at Large
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