Veteran's Day was born of a call for peace. The US Department of Veterans Affairs history page states "fighting in World War I ceased when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918". The next year, President Wilson proclaimed November 11th as Armistice Day, and in 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I with a resolution stating "the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding".

In Honor of Veteran's Day, YouthBuild Boston would like to honor our Construction Manager Ken Richardson, a Veteran of the 1st Infantry Division in the United States Army.

After completing basic training at Fort Knox Kentucky in 1981, Ken was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas. Shortly after he arrived, Ken learned about his 16 year old brother, Brian J. Richardson, being murdered. Upon returning to the Army after a temporary leave, Ken went on to become Tank Commander on the Company Commander's tank - a very prestigious assignment. He was stationed in Germany where he teamed up with German troupes to do field operations across the country. However, the death of his brother haunted Ken and his family and he received a honorable discharge and joined the Reserve in order to complete his service.

Above: Mementos from Ken’s time in Germany.

Back home in Baltimore, Maryland Ken felt the need to turn his brother's murder into something positive and as a result he vowed to never use a weapon again. Ken started taking martial arts to learn how to keep himself safe using only his body and felt the need to share this message with young kids in his neighborhood. Ken has since been working with young people for nearly 40 years trying to help kids who are vulnerable to falling into violence or a life of crime.

After moving to Boston in 1984, Ken began work in the construction industry where he has excelled professionally. He was the Director of Field Operations for The Dartmouth Group before joining YouthBuild Boston. Prior to that, Ken held management positions with Complete Property Care in Brookline, First Service Residential in Framingham, and Parris & Associates in North Easton. Ken's construction career has continued to fuel his passion to combat the epidemic of youth gun violence in the United States. Through his work at YouthBuild Boston and his nonprofit organization, Ken continues to honor his brother's memory by using his violent death as fuel for something good. He has touched countless young lives along the way and as he states "If you've helped one kid, you've done your job in this world".

This Veteran's Day, we honor Ken Richardson and are proud to have him on the YouthBuild Boston team where he is a key influence to the young people in our programs. Thank you, Ken, for your dedicated service to our country and the young people of our community.