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Proclamation recognizing Allegheny County Chief Veterans Affairs Officer, Dwight Boddorf for his dedication to the veterans of Allegheny County and recently being awarded the Veterans Service Award.
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WHEREAS, Dwight Boddorf, Chief Veterans Affairs Officer for Allegheny County, has spent over ten years working to assist veterans in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Dwight has helped thousands of veterans gain access to benefits, obtain jobs, finish their education, and obtain VA healthcare; and
WHEREAS, prior to joining Allegheny County’s Department of Veteran Services in 2019, Dwight worked for
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Penn State Harrisburg, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and
WHEREAS, during his time at the VA, Dwight developed many new policies and procedures for the Public Relations and Patient Advocate divisions, which positively impacted veteran enrollment and satisfaction. Under his leadership at the VA, the VA Butler Healthcare System was awarded its first national communication award, and developed a method to expand communication from 6,000 to 80,000 veterans in the region; and
WHEREAS, during Dwight’s tenure at CCAC, the college's veteran enrollment increased by 16% and the college/student debt decreased by more than 75%; and
WHEREAS, while serving a combat tour in Iraq as a United States Marine with the 2nd LAR based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dwight was seriously wounded by a roadside bomb. Ever since that time, he has dedicated his efforts to working with other wounded veterans and veteran organizations; and
WHEREAS, since joining Allegheny County, Dwight has helped develop new programs and is currently working on a major data-sharing project to help reduce veterans' suicide. Additionally, he created a first-of-its-kind program at the county level in Pennsylvania to assist veterans in accessing benefits prior to release from the legal system; and
WHEREAS, most recently, Dwight was awarded the Veteran Service Award for his work on suicide prevention at the county level; and
WHEREAS, Dwight currently serves on various boards relating to military and veterans’ affairs both locally and nationally, and he recently served on a national initiative for the VA that helps bring the non-profit community and Federal government together to solve issues relating to veterans;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Allegheny County Council Member Sam DeMarco, and all Members of Council, do hereby recognize Allegheny County Chief Veterans Affairs Officer, Dwight Boddorf for his dedication to the veterans of Allegheny County, and I commend him for his commitment to suicide prevention and recently being awarded the Veterans Service Award.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto caused the Seal of the County of Allegheny to be affixed this 9th day of November 2021.