Joseph L. Michaud selected as The 2010 Southeastern Mass. Veteran of the Year

The Board of Directors of the Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Housing Program Inc. (Veterans Transition House) is pleased to announce the selection of Joseph L. Michaud Esq. of Dartmouth as the 2010 Southeastern Massachusetts Veteran of the Year. Mr. Michaud is the 15th Veteran to receive the award and recognition for service above and beyond the call of duty both in Military Service to the Nation, and in his service to the community as a civilian.

Mr. Michaud began his military service as an enlisted Armor Crewman in the U.S. Army in 1986 and was promoted to 2nd Lt. in 1989 when he became a Platoon Leader at Fort Devens, Ma. He served as Acting Company Commander there in 1991 and continued as Executive Officer through 1995.

Michaud further held positions of Defense Council, Opinions Officer, Administrative and Civil Law Counsel, Trial Counsel, Operations Officer and Instructor at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He currently serves as Lieutenant Colonel in the 3rd Legal Support Organization in Boston, Ma.

Mr. Michaud has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal three times, the Army Achievement Medal twice, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Training Ribbon and the Meritorious Service Medal.

In service to his community Mr. Michaud has held or does hold the following positions of leadership and contribution:

Chairman, Dartmouth Board of Selectmen
Chair, United Way of Greater New Bedford Capital Campaign
Chair Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board
1st Vice President Waterfront Historic Area League
Vice-Chair Town of Dartmouth Finance Committee Board
Grinnell Elderly Congregate Housing Board of Directors
Chair Buttonwood Park Zoological Society Board
Greater New Bedford Veterans Transition Housing Board
Greater New Bedford Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
United States Naval War College Member
Theodore Roosevelt Association Member
Abraham Lincoln Association Member
Dartmouth Grange Member
Baseball Coach Dartmouth Youth Activities Association
Member, Veterans Advisor Board of Dartmouth

He resides in Dartmouth with his wife Carolyn and three children, Grace, Abby, and Ben.

Mr. Michaud will receive the award at a formal dinner and dance on Veterans Day Thursday November 11th, 2010 at the Café Funchal on Church Street in New Bedford, Ma. from 6pm until Midnight.

Tickets to the event and Program Advertising Opportunities may be acquired by contacting Executive Director Jim Reid at 508-992-5313 x 11.

All proceeds are dedicated to the mission of the Southeastern Veterans Housing Program Inc. More information is available at www.vetshouse.org.