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11/12/2024
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Rep. Vella-Wilkinson honored at U.S. Rep. Magaziner's at Inaugural Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and Awards Ceremony
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 WARWICK, RI — U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner held his inaugural Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and Awards Ceremony today to commemorate Veterans Day and honor those who served in uniform. Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi was one of the featured speakers at the event, which honored four exceptional individuals and organizations that have dedicated their time and effort to supporting Rhode Island veterans, including Rep. Camille Vella-Wilkinson, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Rhode Island’s veterans have bravely answered the call to serve to protect the freedoms we hold dear, and our country has a sacred obligation to ensure they are taken care of when they come home,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “I am proud to hold this Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and Awards Ceremony to honor their service and sacrifice, and will continue fighting in Washington to ensure veterans have the benefits and healthcare they deserve.”
The keynote speaker at today’s event was Frank Lennon, a decorated Green Beret who served in Vietnam, graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the Providence Journal’s columnist for veterans affairs. Lennon served two combat tours in Vietnam, first with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and then with 5th Special Forces Group. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and two Army commendations for heroism, among many other accolades. Following his military service, Frank organized and ran Rhode Island's salute to the centennial of aviation in 2003, and in that year launched the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame.
“Veterans Day is a pause in our busy lives to recognize and thank our servicemen and women who put on a uniform to fight for their country. Freedom is not free, and I will continue to do what I can to remind everyone of that fact,” said Frank Lennon.
Other distinguished speakers at today’s event included the Director of Veterans Affairs for the State of Rhode Island Lt. Commander Kasim J. Yarn, 44th Adjutant General of Rhode Island Major General Callahan, and Executive Director & General Counsel for Operation Stand Down Rhode Island Erik B. Wallin.
Rep. Magaziner partnered with Operation Stand Down Rhode Island, Providence VA, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the Department of Rhode Island, MISSION: Boots to Briefcases and the United Way of Rhode Island: 211 Program to provide information about the resources and services available to Rhode Island veterans and their families. Presentation of the colors was led by the Rhode Island National Guard Color Guard.
Veterans and their families can find more information by reaching out to a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO). Caseworkers from Rep. Magaziner’s office can also assist with VA-related issues and can be contacted at (401) 244-1201.
BACKGROUND:
Rep. Magaziner presented four awards today: The Operation Stand Down Rhode Island’s Veteran Community Supporter Award, two Excellence in Community Service Awards; and the Veterans Leadership Award.
The Operation Stand Down Rhode Island’s Veteran Community Supporter Award was created to recognize the advocacy of Aidan Lima, who has gone above and beyond to help Rhode Island veterans and their families.
The Excellence in Community Service Awards recognizes individuals and organizations dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through exceptional volunteerism, advocacy, and mentorship.
The Veterans Leadership Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have made it their life’s work to give back to the military and veteran community.
Biographies of the awards recipients are below:
LT Mathew B. McCoy, USN (RET.) served for 23 years in the US Navy and was appointed to lead the Rhode Island World War I Centennial Commission to honor the sacrifice of Rhode Island WWI service members. He is a legacy life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, previously serving as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commander-in-Chief of the VFW, and was recently re-elected to serve as a member of the North Kingstown Town Council. He is a recipient of the Excellence in Community Service Award.
Cape Verdean Memorial Project has fought tirelessly to dedicate a memorial at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery that honors the U.S. military service of men and women of Cape Verdean descent. The Memorial is the first of its kind at a state/federally funded site in our country, and recognizes the service of Cape Verdean veterans, which dates back to the early 1800s. This organization is a recipient of the Excellence in Community Service Award.
Rep. Camille Vella Wilkinson, LCDR/USN (RET.) has represented District 21 in Warwick since 2016 and is a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Rep. Wilkinson has introduced bills that were signed into law that expand job opportunities and benefits for veterans. Wilkinson began an annual veterans’ outreach program at the State House and previously served as the City of Warwick Veterans liaison’s from 2011 to 2016. She is a recipient of the Veterans Leadership Award.
Aidan M. Lima is a 16-year-old Warwick resident who attends Ponaganset High School. Over this past summer, Aidan raised over $20,000 for his Eagle Scout project and donated these funds, along with food donations, to Operation Stand Down Rhode Island. Aidan is a recipient of Operation Stand Down Rhode Island’s Veteran Community Supporter Award.
For more information, contact:
Emily Martineau, Deputy Director of Communications for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 323
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2466
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