Each year, Run for The Troops 5K, holds a 5K Walk/Run and a community Dinner & Silent Auction to honor our veterans. In addition to funds these events raise awareness of the needs of our soldiers. The public often forgets the hard human cost for a few to maintain freedom for us all. In addition […]
By: John Cuddy – 02-23 US Navy Seabee Veteran and Andover resident Robert “Bob” Brown is the son of a US Military Veteran and Massachusetts firefighter. The Valley Patriot first met up with Bob Brown last year at a Chamber of Commerce function at Salvatore’s in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Bob and his staff helped write […]
By: John Cuddy – 01-23 Little did I know that my previous story about US Army Medic Steve Bird from Groveland, and his brave efforts to treat the wounded on the battlefields of Vietnam in 1968, would lead me to this feature about Art Jacobs, who was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and grew up in […]
By: Tom Duggan – 1/23 Last month, there was a scheduled vote before the Lawrence City Council (December 6th) that would have replaced the name of the park at South Lawrence’s Five Corners from “Stockton Park” to “Twomey Park (where the fountain was located on South Union St.).” The proposal was sponsored by Councilor […]
By: John Cuddy – 12/22 Lawrence’s Ed Murphy grew up in the South Lawrence East neighborhood, living in Veteran’s Housing at the Lawrence Stadium Projects as his dad, Edward J. Murphy was a Navy veteran. He later moved to Bailey Street with his parents and three sisters. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in […]
By: John Cuddy – 11/22 Lawrence’s, and the rest of our Merrimack Valley’s Homeless are fed daily by organizations such as the Cor Unum Meal Center, Bread & Roses, Good Shepard Center, and the TMF Organization, all working tirelessly to feed our homeless. Curious to find out how many of our Merrimack Valley (and our […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – 11-22 Each year, Veterans Day is a special opportunity for us to take stock and reflect on all we are doing to support our Veteran community and what more needs to be done. During this legislative session, a number of very important laws were passed to support Veterans […]
ANDOVER – The Greater Lawrence Technical School hosted an event in observation of Veterans Day to honor and recognize Command Sgt. Major Franklin Velez and Sgt. Eduardo Ortiz of the Continental Color Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment. Command Sgt. Major Velez, is a 1988 graduate of Greater Lawrence Tech. The Andover and Lawrence Fire departments […]
LAWRENCE — Chief Executive Officer Carina Pappalardo would like to recognize Chief of Staff Virginia Gomez for 20 years of service and caring she has provided to The Psychological Center and its guests. Gomez joined The Psychological Center as a receptionist in September of 2002, and has learned from her coworkers, grown, and advanced through […]
By: John Cuddy – Oct. 2022 HAVERHILL – Natives of Massachusetts, Sal DeFranco and his wife Dana own Battle Grounds Coffee Company, an award-winning roasting and café operation located in Haverhill, Newburyport, and Methuen. Battle Grounds Coffee was built on a foundation of service. Whether that manifested in providing clothing for veterans, supplies for students, […]
By: John Cuddy – Sept. 2022 Groveland’s Steve Bird was conceived by his parents in 1946 at the US Military Academy in West Point, New York. His dad was a US Army Soldier, serving our Nation as an artillery instructor at West Point, teaching future US Army Officers. Steve grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and […]
By: John Cuddy – Aug. 2022 Lawrence Massachusetts Director,Veterans’ Services, Sargent First Class Jaime L. Melendez Jr. US Army-Retired, was born in Lawrence Massachusetts. He attended the local Lawrence Public schools and finished high school at his parent’s home on the island of Puerto Rico. He has an associate degree from Central Texas University. Jaime […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell The Massachusetts Legislature unanimously sent to Governor Baker a final bill that will comprehensively reform Veteran care in our Commonwealth – which includes, but goes far beyond, major reforms to how our Soldiers’ Homes are governed and operated. As lead sponsor of this legislation alongside Senator Mike Rush, a […]
Francisco A. Ureña Is serving as Provisional Manager at the Lawrence Municipal Airport located in North Andover. Francisco has a history of public service. He enlisted the day after high school in the United States Marine Corps. Serving eight years of honorable active-duty service. A decorated Marine, he served at two American Embassies; American […]
By: John Cuddy – 07-22 Dracut’s newly hired, Veterans Services Officer, David Campisano joined the US Army in 2001, serving in light infantry units until 2016. David trained as an Infantryman, military occupational specialty IIB. He also qualified as an Army Ranger in 2009. Ranger training is voluntary and is one of the most […]