FAIRHOPE, Alabama—A leader in numerous local veterans affairs and community projects, Fairhope resident Joe Birindelli has been named the 2011 Veteran of the Year by the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Day Commission.

“We had 15 nominees this year and all were very deserving,” said Pat Downing, chairman of the commission’s selection committee. “But Joe stood out, not only because of his active duty service, but also for what he has done to support veterans and the community afterwards. He will ride at the front of the Veterans Day parade and be honored at the luncheon that day at Fort Whiting.”

Born in Richmond, Va., Birindelli, 67, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1966 with a degree in civil engineering and began working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Norfolk immediately upon graduation. He transferred to the Mobile District in 1975 and retired in 1999 after 33 years of service.

In 1967 he took a two-year leave of absence from his engineering job to serve in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam as an Armored Calvary Platoon Leader with the 1st Infantry Division. A first lieutenant on leaving active duty, Birindelli’s military awards include two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal.

He came out of retirement to serve as a civilian employee with the Corps of Engineers in Mosul, Iraq for five months in 2005. He also volunteered to work with the Corps in New Orleans for six months in 2007 as a project manager for the design of higher levees in St. Bernard Parish.

“Joe has been the point man for a myriad of veterans’ causes since coming off active duty,” said Barry Booth, director of the Honor Flight South Alabama program and Vietnam veteran. “With all the efforts he’s put forth, not only in the military, but also after his military service to our nation, he is most deserving of the honor.”

His long list of leadership activities, awards and projects, include, notably, his work as co-founder and co-chairman of the Citizens for Local Troop Support and co-founder and co-chairman of the Fairhope Veterans Memorial Committee. He has been the recipient of the Fairhope First Quality of Life Award 2010 and Fairhope Veteran of the Year 2004.

In addition, Birindelli is founder and three-time past president of Chapter 864, Vietnam Veterans of America; commander since 2006 of Chapter 2206, Military Order of the Purple Heart; member, board of directors, Association of the First Infantry Division; vice-president, 1st Squadron, 4th Calvary Association; and member, American Legion Post 199, VFW Post 5660, DAV Post 45 and South Alabama Veterans Council.

"I am very honored to receive this award but feel humbled in comparison to those Veterans of the Year preceding me,” Birindelli said this week. “This award belongs to the members of the Troop Support and Fairhope Memorial committees. They are responsible for the assistance we have been able to provide to the families whose loved ones are serving our country under difficult circumstances and the completion of the memorial which honors all veterans and their families."

The Veterans Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. in downtown Mobile and the 2011 Veterans Day Luncheon follows at noon with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. Afternoon and evening activities will start at 3 p.m. at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.

Tickets to the luncheon are $15 and can be obtained from the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact Ailey Shirazi at 251-431-8621 or ashirazi@mobilechamber.com.