BEMIDJI-Joe Vene of Bemidji is one of 25 Minnesota veterans who will receive the 2015 Veterans' Voices Award from the Minnesota Humanities Center.
Vene, an Army veteran and a Beltrami County Commissioner, is one of nine ""Legacy" veterans (age 41 and older) to receive the honor. A total of 16 "On the Rise" veterans (age 40 and younger) also will be recognized. All honorees were selected by a panel of their peers to receive the award.
Vene is an American Legion member and lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans "who is passionate about the needs of the "underserved" and "unserved" veterans," a release from the center said. His lobbying efforts for Bemidji-area veterans' services and the Northern Minnesota Veterans' Home Initiative resulted in the establishment of the Bemidji Community Outpatient Veterans' Clinic in 2007, the release said. Vene spent 20 years as superintendent of the Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center, and 17 years as appointed city of Bemidji Planning Commission member. Vene is also an accomplished vocalist and often performs the national anthem at various, city, county and veteran functions.
Awards will be presented at the Veterans' Voices Award Ceremony on Sept. 11 at the University of St. Thomas Anderson Student Center in St. Paul.
