New Bedford, MA: The Board of Directors of the Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Housing Program, Inc., known as Veterans Transition House (“VTH”), has opened nominations for the 2024 Veteran of the Year Awardsponsored by BankFive. The Veteran of the Year Award is presented to a regional veteran in recognition of his or her outstanding contributions to veterans, veterans’ issues, and the community as a whole. This year marks the 29thannual award.
Veterans Tranisition House seeks nominations from the public between now and September 15, 2024. The nomination form is available on its website at https://www.vetshouse.org/veteran-of-the-year-application/ and can be requested by emailing info@vetshouse.org or by calling 508-992-5313 x 2. Completed forms can be emailed to info@vetshouse.org or mailed to Veterans Transition House, 1297 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740-6636. If you know a veteran who is deserving of special recognition, Veterans Transition House encourages the submission of your nomination as soon as possible.
The Veteran of the Year Award will be announced in October and presented at a special reception on November 6, 2024. For event sponsorship and tickets, please contact David Guertin at david@vantageinphilanthropy.com or 401-868-0365. This event is a fundraiser to support veterans housing, outreach services, and the meals program delivered by Veterans Transition House.
The 28th Veteran of the Year Award was presented to Bill Comeau who served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. At the Battle of Suoi Tre, Bill’s unit was one of three to receive the Presidential Unit Citation for their heroic actions. Bill has been honored with the following awards and recognitions: the Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Unit Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Oak Leaf. Later in life he was also awarded the Order of St. Maurice Legionnaire Medal by the National Infantry Association for his dedication to the United States Infantry.
Founded in 1990, Veterans Transition House has provided more than 3,300 Southeastern Massachusetts homeless veterans with transitional and permanent housing and comprehensive supportive services. Veterans Transition House owns seven properties across New Bedford operating at nearly 100% capacity and accommodating 85veterans at one time. Approximately 50 veterans are served by VTH’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. Opened in 2021, the Anthony C. and Salvatore H. Alfiero Outreach Center is staffed with licensed clinicians and outrerach specialists to serve an additional 750 Southeastern Massachusetts veterans on average each year who are at risk of becoming homeless, experiencing food insecurity, and in need of human services. Visit www.vetshouse.org to learn more or to make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you.