Honoring the Legacy of Brian D. Perin

The Slate Belt Veterans Association is humbled and deeply grateful for
the extraordinary generosity of Brian D. Perin (1960–2017). Through
his incredible gift of $3.5 million, Brian laid the cornerstone of our
mission—ensuring that the dream of serving veterans and their families
in our community becomes a reality.

Brian’s life reflected his devotion to others. A graduate of Pen Argyl
High School, co-owner of Grand Central Sanitation, and a proud
supporter of veterans, Brian believed in giving back to the men and
women who served our nation. His compassion and commitment will
continue to change lives for generations to come.

Though he left us too soon, Brian’s spirit lives on in the lives
uplifted through his generosity. His legacy is one of service,
gratitude, and love for community.

We honor Brian’s memory, and we promise to carry forward his vision
with pride and purpose.

Born on July 4, 1951, in New York City, Michael lived a life defined by courage, leadership, and service. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines and later as a medic with the U.S. Army Rangers, dedicating himself to the care and well-being of his fellow soldiers.

Driven by his deep compassion for those who served, Michael went on to found the Slate Belt Veterans Association (SBVA), where he served as Chairman of the Board. Through his vision and determination, SBVA was built to support combat-disabled veterans and their families, creating pathways for healing, housing, and hope.

Michael is survived by his sister, Roslyn Orofino, half-sisters Robin and Marcia Kovalevich, and half-brothers Mark and Paul Kovalevich.

His unwavering commitment to veterans and his community continues to guide the mission of the SBVA today. Michael’s spirit lives on in every life touched by the work he began — a true testament to a man whose service never ended.

🕊️ Rest in peace, Marine. Your legacy endures.

Brad Kennedy, now age 78, is a decorated, combat veteran of the Vietnam War.  In August 1966, then age 21 and having volunteered to serve in Vietnam, Kennedy embarked on a 23-day troop-ship voyage across the Pacific, as part of the 11th US Armored Cavalry Regiment--dubbed the Blackhorse Regiment.   The Blackhorse was based and operated mainly in the III Corps military zone of what was then South Vietnam.  (For a III Corps map, CLICK HERE)

During his 12-month tour of duty, Kennedy served as an artillery surveyor, a machine gunner, a track commander, and, for his last five months in-country as a Forward Observer (FO).  

Whether from helicopters in flight over-looking a battleground below or from the thick of things on the ground itself where the line troops were under attack, Kennedy would first consider how best to weaken the attackers with minimal risk of misdirecting friendly artillery fire on the US line troops nearby.     

On July 28, 1967, eight days shy of two full years from his induction, he was released from active duty upon his return by Pan Am Airlines to San Francisco .

In the early 1970s Kennedy worked for two years on one of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society programs -- the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) – during which time he obtained and administered numerous state SLEPA grants for Hudson County, NJ, as well as for 10 of its individual municipalities. He also co-authored the 1972 Criminal Justice Plan for Hudson County itself.  

Thereafter, Kennedy embarked on what is now a 50+ year career as a developer-builder. Projects headed by Kennedy's companies developed and/or built over 600 homes, including 75+ affordable homes and a half million square feet of commercial space. (CLICK HERE for several annotated project photos.)

Included within that total of 75+ affordable homes were 18 ADA-compliant rental apartments that  Kennedy developed in his capacity as Housing Development Manager for the project’s sponsor, UCPNCS of New Jersey (UCP), a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization dedicated to Life without limits for people with disabilities.   Upon completion, the project became known known as The Meadows at Oldwick in Tewksbury, NJ.  UCP financed the construction of the project through the IRS Section 42 Tax Credit Program. Kennedy served as the Owner’s Rep. designated in the Construction Management Contract signed with Peter Ypsilantis of Integrated Green Technologies, Inc. Drawing on the extensive experiences of Toni Lynch, Peter Ypsilantis and Kennedy’s own experiences with energy-efficient construction dating back to the late 1970’s, the Project Architect, Tim McCorry was able to finalize a green design that resulted in the Project receiving the NJ Governor’s Award for Best Affordable Housing project incorporating Green Construction. (CLICK HERE to review)

Burning the midnight oil for decades, Kennedy wrote Betrayal:  Will Stone in Vietnam, a fictionalized version of several of his actual experiences in Vietnam. In August 2020, more than fifty years after he left Vietnam, Kennedy filed a VA compensation claim for service-related disabilities.  He supported his claim by including with it a factual recounting of those same, previously fictionalized, actual Vietnam experiences, as verified by contemporary Army documents, including after-action reports and citations.  

After thorough investigation of Kennedy’s VA claim application, including current medical examinations and his medical history, as well as a complete review of his military records, the VA determined that his combined disability ratings would well exceed the maximum 100% rating that the VA can pay on claims, so the VA’s final determination of Kennedy’s claim rating must be capped at the 100% disability rating permissible.  To view a redacted copy of relevant portions  of Kennedy’s VA claim application and the VA’s final rating decision. 

Today, Kennedy holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Lafayette College in Easton, PA.  Over the years since his safe return from Vietnam, Kennedy has guest lectured extensively to civic-minded audiences and to college and high school classes on the realities of the Vietnam War.

Starting with the March 2003 US invasion of Iraq and until the final US pullout many years, he was a Gannett Newspaper panelist analyzing and commenting on emerging developments in Afghanistan and in Iraq after the US invasion of Iraq. panelist for, a body which met since before the March 2003 invasion to its conclusion, to analyze and comment upon important developments in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Kennedy lives with Barbara, his wife of 53 years; she is a former Peace Corp volunteer who lived in a mud hut next to the one-room schoolhouse where she taught Grades K-12 in Sierra Leone, West Africa.  They now live in New Jersey, where they raised their son and foster children.  

When asked how long he will keep writing about War, Kennedy is quick to answer, “as long as the obituary writers do."

For more about Brad Kennedy visit: bradkennedy.net

As Secretary for Upper Mount Bethel Township, Cindy came to know Mike Kovalevich.  Cindy knew he was a highly recognized Veteran and that his mission was to establish housing for Veterans. In 2020,  she was

approached by Toni Lynch to act as the Recording Secretary for the Slate Belt Veterans Association and has

continued to work side by side with the members of the Board. Cindy currently attends all meetings, applies for grants, prepares agendas, and meeting minutes.

Kristine was brought on at the beginning of 2023 to help facilitate the project, which includes fundraising, website building, social media marketing and communications. She has worked in corporate for over a decade in administration and management roles. In 2019 she decided to go back to school to pursuea passion of hers and  graduated with her Masters in Clinical Herbalism from Maryland University of Integrative Health in 2022. She is a Clinical Herbalist part-time that she runs out of her home. "I've always been searching for how I can better assist others. In addition to my small business, it has been a blessing to be a part of the SBVA and I look forward to seeing all that we accomplish."