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RINewsToday’s Veterans Writer, John A. Cianci, Honored with Lt. Col. Mike Zacchea Veterans Impact Award

July 22, 2026/Nancy Thomas

On July 18, 2026, at the conclusion of the University of Connecticut’s intensive Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) program, 2017 EBV alumnus John Cianci was presented with the prestigious Lt. Col. Mike Zacchea Veterans Impact Award.

The UConn EBV program is a premier business initiative that has helped more than 300 veterans launch and scale their own companies. The award is named in honor of the late U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Mike Zacchea, a highly decorated veteran who founded and directed the program, leaving behind a legacy of empowering military entrepreneurs.

Two Decades of Relentless Service

Throughout the veteran community, John Cianci is known by a simple, defining phrase: “Never give up.”

Over the last 20 years, Cianci has dedicated his life to helping fellow service members navigate the complexities of the system. His work has successfully helped thousands of veterans secure over $7 million in federal VA benefits, as well as state and local support. Over the past decade alone, his reach has extended far beyond Rhode Island, drawing in veterans seeking his specialized assistance from more than 25 states and four countries.

Cianci currently serves as the State Commander for the Italian American War Veterans of the US / Department of Rhode Island. Under his direct leadership, ITAM launched the impactful “Leave No Veteran Alone” initiative. Now operating across three states, the program coordinates dedicated volunteers to visit long-term care and assisted living facilities, bringing vital camaraderie and a watchful eye to aging veterans and the surviving spouses of deceased service members.

A 30-Year Battle for Justice

Cianci’s unwavering advocacy for others is mirrored by his historic personal battle against the Department of Veterans Affairs—a fight that began nearly 30 years ago.

In 1997, Cianci filed an initial claim for chronic illnesses he believed were caused by toxic exposures during his military service, including nerve gas, lindane, diesel fumes, and the toxic smoke from open-barrel burn pits containing plastic water bottles and human feces.

When early federal findings claimed that no service members suffered adverse health effects from low-level sarin gas exposure, Cianci took action. He testified before the Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, presenting his own March 1991 medical records as the first concrete evidence of immediate treatment. This testimony directly challenged the official narrative at a time when the Department of Defense eventually admitted that over 100,000 U.S. troops had been exposed.

Cianci’s perseverance recently culminated in a major victory: the VA issued a new decision awarding him thousands of dollars in retroactive compensation dating back to that original 1997 filing. Furthermore, Cianci successfully sued the VA in court for the systemic mishandling of his claim, resulting in a substantial financial settlement paid to him by the agency.

Cianci recently fulfilled a lifetime dream, opening a veteran resource center.

“The facility gives me the resources to impact more veterans’ and families life’s,”, said Cianci.” Moreover, the facility, will be a hub for our veterans, active members of armed forces, and first responders”

Team of Vietnam and Desert Storm veterans named the facility Landing Zone Bronco Veteran and First Responder Resource Center, located at 1950 Bronco Highway, Burrillville RI . The facility has official grand opening on August 9, 2026.

“Throughout that weekend we are celebrating Victory over Japan, which is the State of Rhode Island holiday on the second Monday of every month,” Cianci said.

The official ribbon cutting will be at 4:00PM, Sunday. Prior to ribbon cutting, a Victory Day Italian Picnic will be held and World WAR II veterans will be in attendance. FREE HOT DOGS / Burgers and more will be available.

Carrying the Torch Forward

Receiving an award named after his late mentor and friend, Lt. Col. Mike Zacchea, brings Cianci’s journey full circle. From an EBV student learning to build an impactful organization, to an unstoppable advocate changing thousands of lives across the globe, Cianci continues to embody the true meaning of service.

For John Cianci, this recognition is not a lifetime achievement capstone—it is a powerful reminder that for thousands of veterans still fighting for their health and benefits, the mission is far from over.

“Receiving the award I am honored. Mike was there when I needed to make decisions in my life in the direction that I wanted to go to fulfill my commitment to my brothers and sisters I served with,” said Cianci.

“Although give the tools by the VA and UCONN to start a successful career in renewable energy, and even being offered a six figure position, I choose the passion that drives me—SERVING.

A life of giving over money Cianci has chosen.

He drives a car with over 200,000 miles, hood held by a cargo strap, and so many other issues. However, it does not deter him form using the car to pick up items needed for veterans and program he oversees for ITAM.

“Every penny donated I treat as my own, throughout RI most veterans no my car, 2008 Blue Scion, with license plate Disable Veteran #8

“Just today, I stopped to pick up pasties for veterans in a nursing ITAM is visiting today, my car, 2008, Scion with 219,000 miles had a dead battery when I came outside.

In fact, his organization doubles over 90 percent of all funds donated. This is accomplished using most of donated funds by using Crazy Deal program thru Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL)

Last year, ITAM organization spent and received over 65K of items from OSJL, receiving over 60K in Crazy Deal gift cards. In Addition to the online purchase and the Eat For Free Crady Deal gifts, ITAM spent an estimated 150,000 at OSJL for items for veterans (furniture, food items for FREE luncheons and dinners), personnel hygiene items, clothing, etc.

Additional program started this year ITAM is seeking military uniforms and accessories. The uniforms will be provided to veterans or veteran’s who wish to be buried in his or her uniform.

“Every few months, we get a call from a veteran’s family who has passed away seeking assistance in providing the veteran’s final wish; to be buried in uniform,’ said Cianci.

Sadly the window to assist is 1-2 days, otherwise additional costs are required to maintain the deceased veteran’s body awaiting a military uniform,” said Cianci.”Sadly, I can’t always fulfill the veteran’s final wish.”

At the LZ Bronco Veteran and First Responder Center, we already have an area to store and start preparing uniforms, with the hope of building a shed specifically for donated military uniforms.

Uniforms can be mailed to: ITAM – LZ Bronco – 1950 Bronco Highway – Harrisville RI 02830

ITAM organization is always looking for volunteers, contact John (401) 677-9838, email [email protected],

Facebook: LeaveNoVeteranAlone by Italian American War Veterans of US/ Department of R

Website: https://italianamericanwarveteran.org/

LZ Bronco Veteran Resource Center, 1950 Bronco Highway, Burrillville RI

Facebook: LZ Bronco

“Accepting the Lt. Col. Mike Zacchea Veterans Impact Award mean as much to me as 2 other major recognitions: Bronze Star and being selected as the Grand marshal for 2024 Columbus Day Parade in Federal Hill.” In closing, and in our friend, Micheal’s, memory, I encourage all to go his Veterans Administration legacy page. The page allows you to pay tribute to Mike. RIP LTC Michael Zacchea

Veteran Legacy Memorial: Link for Mike: https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/MICHAELJOSEPHZACCHEA/7B195

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