Honoring Service Beyond the Uniform:

Marine Veteran Vincent “Vinnie” Howard

As we celebrate Veterans Day, BAC proudly honors the veterans among us, those who have worn the uniform and continue to serve their country, communities, and fellow citizens in new and meaningful ways. Among them is Vincent “Vinnie” Howard, a proud U.S. Marine whose story embodies perseverance, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to helping others.

From the Bronx to the Marine Corps

Born and raised in the Bronx, Vinnie’s personality is as big as his heart. His energy, humor, and loyalty have always been his trademarks—but it’s his steadfast sense of duty that defines him. When he joined the Marine Corps at 19, he carried with him the grit and determination of his New York roots, quickly earning a reputation for his composure under pressure.

During his years of service, Vinnie was affectionately nicknamed “Spock” by his fellow Marines for his ability to stay calm and mission-focused in any situation. That strength was tested time and again during training, operations, and deployments. His service left him with lasting physical injuries—damage to his knees and hips that later led to spinal issues, chronic pain, vertigo, and insomnia—as well as emotional scars from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and survivor’s guilt.

But even in the face of these challenges, Vinnie found purpose in helping others heal. “When I see something, I don’t just say something—I do something,” he explains. “I’m not looking for recognition. I do it because it’s in my heart, because no veteran or their family should ever feel forgotten.”

Finding a New Mission Through BAC

After his military career, Vinnie joined Brevard Achievement Center (BAC), an AbilityOne®-affiliated nonprofit that creates employment and advancement opportunities for people with disabilities, including veterans. His first assignment was at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), where he worked in the Vehicle Assembly Building on the Mobile Launcher Platforms.

Vinnie quickly became a mentor to others on the team—offering guidance, encouragement, and humor that boosted morale and strengthened performance. Project Manager Maria Mays recalls, “Vincent is instrumental in the improvements of our team. Acting as a mentor, he lifts struggling co-workers and drives them to be the best that they can be.”

Over time, his health challenges made the physical demands of custodial work increasingly difficult. True to its mission, BAC helped Vinnie transition into a new role that would allow him to continue making a difference—joining the BAC Contact Center, where he now provides Tier 1 Help Desk support for federal customers nationwide.

This new chapter allows Vinnie to do what he does best: serve others. “It’s the perfect fit,” says Vinnie. “Now I get to help veterans every day. It keeps me connected to my brothers and sisters in arms.”

Contact Center Project Manager Traci Hildreth adds, “Vinnie is a true hero, who brings the same commitment and dedication to his role in the contact center that he showed in his military service. His passion for supporting fellow veterans and his tireless contributions to our community are an inspiration to us all.”

A Life of Service: Giving Back to the Community

Outside of BAC, Vinnie continues to serve through an extraordinary list of volunteer activities that touch lives across Florida and beyond. His leadership and compassion extend through nearly every major veterans’ organization in Brevard County.

Vinnie’s community service includes:

• Marine Corps League – Former Detachment Commandant and Membership Officer, where he checks in on members, runs errands for those in need, and supports widows and families of Marines. In 2022, he was named both Detachment Commandant of the Year and Department (State) Marine of the Year, earning both honors on the same night—a rare achievement that has only occurred once before in the League’s history.
• Missing in America Project & Dover Detail – Personally restores and assembles uniforms for unclaimed veterans to ensure they receive proper military burials. Vinnie has helped prepare over 150 uniforms and performed flag-folding ceremonies when no next of kin could be found.
• Eagle Scout Liaison – Serves as the state and detachment liaison for the Marine Corps League, creating custom certificates and letters for Scouts achieving the rank of Eagle. “I’ll never deprive a kid of not getting something,” he says. “That recognition matters.”
• Wreaths Across America, Toys for Tots, Disabled Veterans of America, and the American Legion – Vinnie is a regular presence at community drives, ceremonies, and memorial events. He coordinates volunteers, raises donations, and ensures veterans and their families receive care, dignity, and support year-round.
• Local Veteran Outreach – From mowing lawns and replacing weathered flags to visiting senior homes and delivering supplies, Vinnie shows up wherever there’s a need.

He is also deeply involved with the Purple Heart Ceremony held each August at the Brevard Veterans Memorial, where he helps set up the event, read citations, and honor fellow service members.

The Heart of a Marine

Even with all these commitments, Vinnie’s most powerful moments of service are often the quiet, personal ones.

When a fellow Marine, Sergeant Kevin Lee Lloyd, fell gravely ill from cancer caused by burn pit exposure, Vinnie stepped up without hesitation. He organized resources nationwide, ensuring the family had access to medical support, children’s gifts through Toys for Tots, and assistance from local veteran networks.

Moments like these reveal the depth of Vinnie’s empathy and his unwavering belief that “Marines never leave a brother behind.”

He also finds joy in connecting Marines across generations. At the 100th birthday celebration of a local veteran, Vinnie created an unforgettable tribute. “Once we had presented all the gifts, I asked everyone to stand. I pulled up the lyrics to the first verse of the Marine Corps Hymn, and we all sang it together. He cried—and they said he never cries. That moment meant everything to him, and to all of us.”

Strength Through Service

Despite battling physical pain and the emotional toll of survivor’s guilt, Vinnie keeps moving forward—driven by faith, humor, and purpose. Known for his quick wit and contagious optimism, he jokes that slowing down “just isn’t in the manual.” His weekends are filled with Color Guard ceremonies, flag raisings, and memorial events.

As BAC’s Director of Community Relations, Keri Goff, shares, “Nearly every weekend Vinnie is supporting vets—whether with a flag raising, participating in the Color Guard at a serviceman’s funeral or other celebrations, or most recently restoring a deceased veteran’s family with their dress uniform. Vinnie’s commitment to other veterans is truly remarkable.”

Through it all, he remains humble:
“It’s what I do. It’s what makes me who I am. If I can bring sunshine to somebody’s life and take pressure off them, then I’ve done my job. I’ll do this until the day I die.”

Honoring Vinnie—and All Who Serve

Vinnie Howard is more than a veteran, he’s a living example of service beyond the uniform. His work through BAC, his volunteer leadership, and his unwavering compassion remind us all what it means to live with purpose and integrity.

This Veterans Day, BAC celebrates Vinnie and every veteran who continues to make our communities stronger. To all who served: thank you for your courage, your sacrifice, and your continued commitment to a better world.

Happy Veterans Day from Brevard Achievement Center.
Together, we honor those who served—and those who never stopped serving.