Mayor names city's first Director of Veterans' Services
Date: 3/9/2010
March 10, 2010.By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
CHICOPEE -- A member of the military and a woman from a multi-generational military family will lead the city's efforts to help its veterans.
Mayor Michael Bissonnette announced last week that Kimberly Anne Babin is his selection to permanently fill the new position of Director of Veterans' Services.
The City Council is expected to confirm the appointment and Babin should to start her new job on April 5.
The new position replaces the former veterans service officer job and will bring the city in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 115.
"I am pleased to submit Kimberly Babin's name to the City Council as our first Director of Veterans' ServiceS. Kimberly brings years of experience dealing with veteranS and their families and a successful record of results and progress in providing the absolute best care to our veterans. I would like to thanks the City Council and members of the Search and Ordinance Committees, specifically Councilors Jim Tillotson and George Moreau who served on the Search Committee and helped draft the new ordinance for their cooperation, suggestions and time in ensuring our veterans receive only the best service," Bissonnette said.
A master sergeant in the Air Force Reserve, Babin currently works for the Massachusetts Army National Guard and the Westover Air Reserve Airman and Family Readiness Center.
The daughter in a military family, she entered the Air Force Reserve at age 30 and told Reminder Publications, "It was the best decision I ever made."
Her husband is a colonel in the Air Force Reserve.
Babin said Massachusetts is first in the nation for helping veterans but more can be done. "I'm amazed what we do in Massachusetts," she said.
She sees a continuing challenge in "getting the word out" on services and opportunities for veterans.
"I'm constantly telling young vets to get what they are supposed to get," she said.
She expressed concern over the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan finding help for post-traumatic stress disorder. Working at the Airman and Family Readiness Center, she has experience counseling members of the military and their families on a number of concerns including career counseling, family and work issues and transitional services.
As the new director of veterans' services, she plans to have a monthly television show on Chicopee's public access channel to discuss veteran issues. She would also like to have greater outreach into the city's high schools to encourage the Junior R.O.T.C. programs.
Speaking on her dedication to veterans, she said, "They signed a contract and were willing to give up their lives for their country."
"Kimberly has strong ties to Chicopee and a long and successful career of serving veterans throughout Western Massachusetts. I know she will make us proud by continuing to make the Chicopee Veterans' Service Department the first destination for our veterans to seek the services, help and assistance that they deserve," Bissonnette said.
