Langley, British Columbia
Mr. Kenneth J. Lieuwen, a Canadian-born Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, joined the Marine Corps’ 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. While serving with the battalion, he was deployed on numerous domestic operational/training missions within the United States and on overseas operations. Mr. Lieuwen served from 1988 to 1996, reaching the rank of Corporal. Upon the end of his military career, Mr. Lieuwen returned to Canada and pursued his current profession as a full-time firefighter. He has served 21 years with the Surrey Fire Department.
Mr. Lieuwen is one of the founders, and the Vice President Operations for Ronin Safety and Rescue Inc. with his business partner. For over 14 years, Mr. Lieuwen and Ronin have sought out Veterans to join the Ronin team. To date, approximately 40 percent of the company’s staff are Veterans or serving reservists. Ronin offers transition programs, provided by staff members volunteering their personal time, to train and provide Veterans the skills needed to transition to civilian fire service employment.
Mr. Lieuwen and Ronin have partnered with other companies to offer either free or significantly price-reduced training opportunities to Veterans and reservists to achieve skill-based certifications. Mr. Lieuwen and Ronin work alongside sponsors and support other pro-Veteran and military-centric activities.
Mr. Lieuwen volunteers his time by helping still-serving reservists of the Canadian Armed Forces, some of whom served missions in Afghanistan and in peacekeeping operations. He takes the time to help Veterans dealing with mental and physical disabilities by promoting the Veterans Transition Network. As a past graduate of the program, Mr. Lieuwen strongly agrees with its mission to help Veterans transition to meaningful civilian careers, while reintegrating with their families and communities.