Dearborn names local sailor as 2012 Veteran of the Year

DEARBORN, Mich. (WXYZ) - The city of Dearborn is among the local communities that held special ceremonies to honor those who served their country on this Veterans Day.

In conjunction with the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council, the city held its ceremony in the City Council Chambers. As part of the program Dearborn named US Navy veteran Richard Przebienda as the 2012 Veteran of the Year.

Przebienda was honored for his commitment to veterans, including his 888 hours of volunteer service. Many of those hours were spent visiting patients in VA hospitals. His passion for helping disabled veterans came after he was hospitalized with tuberculosis during active duty.

"I was actually in the hospital for 6 months, and I know what it means to be lonely. And i know what it means to want to get out," Przebienda told Action News.

In addition to his volunteer work, Przebienda is active in the Dearborn Allied War Veterans County, the Polish Legion of America Veterans Post 75 and the Polish Legion of American Veterans USA Department of Michigan.

Przebienda served in the Navy beginning when he was 17-years-old. He left at age 20, following a tour of duty in the Mediterranean in 1956.