29th Veteran of the Year Award Recipient 2024
Kenneth Levesque
Kenny Levesque, of Swansea, Massachusetts, served in the U.S. Marine Corp for four years (1996-2000) as a field radio operator with deployments to Okinawa, Japan, then across Europe and the Middle East including Turkey, Egypt and Isreal. Following his honorable discharge, Kenny became involved in the hospitality industry rising to Training General Manager and Area Director for nationally-known restaurants.
As Executive Director of the Veterans Association of Bristol County (VABC) for the past three years, Kenny has demonstrated a profound commitment to serving those who have served his country, stating repeatedly “I just want to help veterans.” The cornerstones of Kenny’s leadership style are compassion, integrity, collaboration and innovation to ensure that VABC goes above and beyond with its services to local veterans. Kenny has spearheaded programs including “Honoring our Sheroes”, a weekly peer-to-peer counseling group for veterans and first responders. Kenny has also introduced a health and wellness program including kayaking, cycling and coming soon a music program as well as art therapy to improve the physical and mental health of veterans. He is also an extraordinary organizer of events that bring veterans and the community together to include a Veterans Holiday Lunch, Military Appreciation Night with the Providence Bruins, cook outs on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day, and a Vets Welcome Kids Back to School event, among several other events throughout the year.
One of his most notable accomplishments at VABC is his dedication to administering its Food Pantry. Serving on average 400 veterans per month, in 2024 alone the Food Pantry has provided over 35,000 units of service between food, clothing, referrals and other vital human services.
Known for deflecting personal recognition, Kenny prefers praise for the network of Bristol County veterans’ organizations that strive to meet the needs of veterans. Collectively nominated by fifteen of his VABC colleagues, the Board of Directors of Veterans Transition House is pleased to award the 29th Annual Veteran of the Year Award to Kenny Levesque.