Massachusetts leaders, retired and present army servicemembers, their households and residents gathered this Veterans Day to seek out methods to honor all those that have chosen to serve their nation.
“I problem every of you to ask yourselves, ‘How can we as individuals and as a community continue to support those who have served?’” said Andrea Gayle-Bennett, deputy secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans Services, at a event in the Massachusetts State House on Monday. “‘How can we ensure the next generation of veterans receives the recognition, resources and respect they deserve?’”
Veterans gathered in rows the Great Hall of Flags in the State House on Monday morning, marking the holiday and hearing commitments to honor their service. The program launched with a honor guard and posting of colors, before moving through the national anthem, a POW/MIA remembrance, and remarks from state officials.
The Healey administration highlighted the HERO Act passed in August, which includes over 30 provisions expanding access to behavioral health treatment, increasing the disabled veteran annuity and more.
“In Massachusetts, we’re dwelling to so many firsts, the Nationwide Guard, the US Navy,” stated Gov. Maura Healey. “We have a proud heritage of patriotism and of fighting for American democracy, and I’m proud of that.”
State leaders additionally awarded the Captain Thomas Hudner Jr. Award to Marvin Howard, a devoted Air Power veteran and over 20 yr volunteer with the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. With “steadfast commitment,” state officers stated, Howard has attended over 12,000 internment ceremonies.
The Captain Thomas Kelley Neighborhood Engagement Award went to the Veterans Affiliation of Bristol County, which serves over 400 veterans’ households with meals and over 100 with clothes with a employees of solely 4 full time workers. The group additionally gives a drop in heart for veterans and their households with entry to packages and companies.
The occasion drew veterans and people related to them within the frequent spirit of honoring the group’s dedication to service.
“All veterans deserve to be remembered,” stated Donna Misiaszek, co-volunteer coordinator for the Better Boston Chapter of Gold Star Wives for America. “And we come because it helps us to heal. We all lost our husbands due to their service, but it helps us to heal by helping other veterans and also being here because they can’t be.”
The chapter’s second volunteer coordinator Donna Brown famous the significance of exhibiting recognition and respect for veterans, asking residents to take time to shake their palms.
The keynote speaker, president of the New England Heart and Dwelling for Veterans Andrew McCawley, recalled the reminiscence of a good friend and Navy veteran who died this fall and telling his household of his service on the funeral.
McCawley inspired viewers members to induce veterans to make use of the help companies they’ve earned and to respectfully ask veterans of their life about their service.
“What I want to say here is, regardless of any veterans’ length of service, their rank, their medals and awards, their era of service — overseas, state side, conflict, peace time — or the character of the service; in the aggregate, military service is vital,” McCawley stated. “It makes a difference. And no one individual service member functions without the whole.”
