In partnership with the Veterans Coordination Commission, we are pleased to present the December, 2007 Veteran of the Month Recognition to Robert B. Kirland.

Robert, a native New Yorker, enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1952 where he served four years. He entered the US Air Force and served in various locations around the world including Vietnam. Bob retired in 1973 as a Technical Sergeant and went to work for the Department of Defense as a Civil Service employee. After 43 years of government service, he retired as a logistics industrial specialist in aviation.

During Bob’s military service, he was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V Device, with 3 Bronze Clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with 1 Bronze Cluster, the Joint Service Meritorious Unit Citation, air Force and Marine Corps Good Conduct medals with bars, National Defense Service medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnam Services Medal with 4 Bronze Clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 4 Bronze Clusters, Republic of Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Korean Defense Medal and the China Service Medal.

Bob is very involved in veterans affairs, not only with his VFW Post but in the community at large. He is the first one to help a veteran or family member in need; he takes veterans to their doctor’s appointments, visits the sick and shut-in’s and visits the Veteran Administration hospitals within the state. If anyone needs help, Bob is the first one to volunteer to aid a fellow human being. He willingly sacrifices his own personal time day or night to help. Bob exemplifies the meaning of “…a helping hand” and is deserving of this recognition.