RESOLUTION NO. 240984

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Sponsor: Councilmember Johnathan Duncan

RESOLUTION - Recognizing November 11th as Veterans Day, honoring the work of Kansas City’s Veterans Court, and congratulating Army Veteran Juan Lincoln for his graduation from Veterans Court.

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WHEREAS, originally termed Armistice Day, Veterans Day is observed on November 11th and marks the date of the end of World War I, described as “the war to end all wars.” Veterans Day preserves the significance of that date and honors America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good; and

WHEREAS, Kansas City has a large and active community of veterans, and is home to the national headquarters of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Veterans Community Project, as well as many other local veteran service organization chapters; and

WHEREAS, the Veterans Court (Vet Court) program was established in 2009 as a collaboration between the Municipal Court and the Kansas City Veterans Administration Medical Center (VA) and the first of its kind in the State of Missouri. Vet Court offers veterans an opportunity to participate in voluntary treatment program through the VA as an alternative to receiving a “standard” sentence for their case; and

WHEREAS, Juan Lincoln is a US Army veteran who enlisted in 1984, serving a hardship-duty tour on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea, and was honorably discharged in 1999. After his discharge, Mr. Lincoln attended culinary school and became a chef here in Kansas City; and

WHEREAS, after Mr. Lincoln’s service in the Army, Mr. Lincoln struggled with his place in his community and found himself in trouble with the law. Mr. Lincoln was referred to Veterans Court, where he volunteered to take part in the 12-month-long treatment program through the VA. Mr. Lincoln flourished under the program and graduated from Vet Court on October 2, 2024, one of over 300 graduates to have their cases dismissed since the program’s inception; and

WHEREAS, Veterans have served their country in the face of great personal peril and danger, and Kansas City’s Vet Court program offers veterans like Juan Lincoln a second chance and hand up as a thank you for their service to their country and community; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby recognize November 11th as Veterans Day, honor Kansas City’s Veterans Court for their work, and congratulating Juan Lincoln for his recent graduation from the Vet Court program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Juan Lincoln.

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