Kevin johnson: a legacy of service and the 2023 dav volunteer of the year for illinois | va marion health care | veterans affairs

Kevin Johnson, a name synonymous with selfless service and dedication, has been honored as the 2023 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Volunteer of the Year for the State of Illinois. His

journey of service is a testament to the values instilled in him from a young age, growing up in a family with deep military roots. His father, a World War II veteran, and his older brother,

a Vietnam veteran, inspired Kevin to follow in their footsteps and serve in the Army from 1973 to 1978. After his military service, Kevin’s commitment to supporting veterans never wavered.

He found a new way to serve by volunteering with the DAV, initially committing to drive veterans to appointments one day a week. This commitment quickly grew to nearly every day, driven by

his belief that “sometimes you do things that you don’t like to do because they need to be done.” > “My father utilized the VA, as did my brother. And I've always > thought it 

was, you know, quite an admirable thing for our > Government to do, to provide, you know, medical services for the > veterans. And I guess in a roundabout way, that's what drew me

 to > the VA. I just happened to see a recruitment flyer for volunteer > drivers in one of the CBOC’s (Community Based Outpatient Clinics) > and I thought, “Well, I can do that, I 

can give them one day a > week.” And that’s how Kevin’s journey as a volunteer driver began with the Marion VA. The funny thing is that he really doesn’t like to drive, yet still insist

on racking up so many driving hours that it earned him the award. Even in retirement, he gives 100% to his community. > “Well, to start off with, I hate to drive. I absolutely hate > 

driving, but like I say, it’s something that needs to be done. So > sometimes you do things that you don't like to do but. You know, > they you need to be done” – Kevin Johnson, 

Army Veteran and > Illinois DAV Volunteer of the Year But we did find out that there is one time of the year in which he doesn’t mind driving. He shares that he doesn’t mind it when he is

out “delivering Thanksgiving food boxes. I really like that. Delivering food to these guys, you know, all over the place, they just light up. When you walk in carrying that box of food or

whatever, many of them are like, ‘wow’, and that’s very rewarding.” He spends a significant portion of his time volunteering, all while cherishing his role as a grandfather, or “paw paw,”

which he says is “the most enjoyable thing on Earth.” Kevin’s personal values and beliefs, deeply rooted in his Christian faith, motivate his unwavering commitment to volunteering. He

believes in helping those in need, a principle that guides his actions and his work with veterans.  He insists that his recognition as Volunteer of the Year is not an individual accolade but

a team victory, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in making a positive impact on the lives of veterans. The DAV’s choice to honor Kevin Johnson reflects his humble service and the

profound influence he has had on the veteran community in Illinois. We here at the Marion VA are grateful to have such a dedicated volunteer in our ranks. Congratulations Kevin on your

award and thank you for your service!