County Executive Kerkman Announces Call For Nominations For Inaugural Kenosha County Veteran Of The Year Award

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County Executive Samantha Kerkman today announced the establishment of a new award honoring outstanding veterans in Kenosha County.

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The Kenosha County Veteran of the Year Award seeks to honor veterans for their achievements and contributions after their time in service.

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This year’s award will be presented at Kerkman’s annual Veterans Appreciation Picnic, to be held May 30 at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.

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Nominations for the inaugural award are being accepted until 5 p.m. April 30 through an online form available at https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/VeteranOfTheYear. Paper forms are also available by contacting the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office at 262-605-6690.

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Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

“We’re excited to shine a spotlight on the remarkable veterans in our community,” Kerkman said. “I encourage anyone who knows an outstanding veteran to consider making a nomination.”

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The award winner will be chosen by a selection committee including Kerkman and members of the Kenosha County Veterans Service Office staff. All nominees will be notified that they were nominated, although the nominator may choose to remain anonymous to the nominee.

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Nominees must be Kenosha County residents.

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“This award is a way to honor the veterans in Kenosha County who make a difference in the community,” said Veterans Service Officer Jennifer Blasi. “My staff and I look forward to reviewing what we expect will be an impressive list of nominees.”

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More details about the Kenosha County Division of Veterans Services and the functions it serves are available at https://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/Veterans.

Author

Kevin Mathewson

Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

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8 Responses

Jake reed says:

March 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM

She makes my stomach turn…… fraud

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1. Leave it Alone says:
  
  March 27, 2025 at 6:48 PM
  
  All she’s doing is announcing the award and recognition. It’s not about her.
  
  It’s something that we should do and should have been doing long before now.
  
  Leave her alone.
  There will be plenty of other stories to drag her in the mud for.
  
  Instead take some time to think of a nominee.
  Better use of time
  
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dcj says:

March 27, 2025 at 10:21 PM

we need more vets to choose from. a new generation of heros

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Anonymous says:

March 27, 2025 at 11:28 PM

This sounds nice at first blush but upon further reflection, it makes me uneasy.

There was a saying when I was at Fort Leonard Wood:”Every soldier a VIP.”

All of our veterans are V.I.P.’s.

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1. Uneasy ??? says:
  
  March 28, 2025 at 1:47 AM
  
  Recognition is uneasy ?
  
  Anyone who might be nominated can easily decline the award and recognition.
  Anyone nominated can just as easily accept !
  
  This is just thanking veterans for other things they have accomplished after their military careers.
  
  Nothing more. Nothing less.
  
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  1. Anonymous says:
    
    March 28, 2025 at 12:26 PM
    
    The “why” is that no member places his or her service above that of another service member. Big no-no in the military world.
    
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Anonymous says:

March 28, 2025 at 6:10 AM

I nominate all veterans. The willingness to serve makes you a VIP.

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Steam Baths says:

March 29, 2025 at 9:20 AM

Andy Berg! Make Kenosha great again

Reply