Trout Brook, New Brunswick
Captain Kokkonen is a Canadian Forces Veteran with a 38-year career. As the current President of the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association, Mr. Kokkonen has been instrumental in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the association in its advocacy role on behalf of Veterans. Due to his perseverance and initiative, the association has remained financially stable. Mr. Kokkonen sits on a liaison committee which regularly meets with the Minister of Veterans Affairs, bringing Veteran-related issues to the table. Mr. Kokkonen is an active member of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada and Canadian Legion. He is the Parade Commander for numerous annual commemorative events and ceremonies in the communities of Miramichi and Sunny Corner, New Brunswick. Mr. Kokkonen promotes Veterans’ interests and when called upon, readily assists them in obtaining benefits. Mr. Kokkonen was the proud representative of his association as an Olympic Torch bearer for the 2010 Olympics.