By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – June, 2022 In the Massachusetts Legislature, we are continuing to work diligently to bring accountability and reform to our Soldiers’ Homes. Comprehensive reform legislation I filed with Senator Mike Rush (a fellow Veteran) is currently in the final leg of the process. When a very different bill came […]
A Veteran, Father, Husband, Brother, and Hero By: John Cuddy – May, 2022 On April 16th of this year, a reunion was held on the shore of Rock Pond in Georgetown, Massachusetts. Family and friends gathered to remember a Haverhill Veteran, Frederick “Buddy” Hansen, a husband, brother, and dad, who drowned in this pond while […]
Because honoring veterans is so much a part of what we do at The Valley Patriot, each year we honor people who themselves honor our hero service men and women here at home. With the passing of our good friend and hero veteran John Ratka in 2019 this award was immediately named in his honor […]
By: John Cuddy – April, 2022 EDITORS NOTE: Army Veteran Jeannette Mason was given the Valley Patriot’s “John Ratka Hero Veteran Award” last week at the newspaper’s annual BASH Scholarship and Award Night. Valley Patriot columnist and Navy veteran, John Cuddy, presented the award. State Senator Diana DiZoglio was on hand to congratulate her. A […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, During the COVID-19 pandemic, 77 residents of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragically died of the virus – the deadliest outbreak at a long-term care facility in the United States over the course of the pandemic. In late March 2020, there had been 230 residents at the home. By the end of […]
By: John Cuddy – March, 2022 Raised in Arlington, Massachusetts in veterans housing, and now living in Pelham, New Hampshire Scott Hyder, is the founder and current President of Hidden Battles. The non-profit organization strives to help preserve the healthy minds of veterans, fire fighters, police officers and other first responders. The organization’s mission is […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – March 2022 I have joined House Minority Leader Brad Jones and several of my colleagues in a bipartisan call for the immediate divestment of state pension funds that are tied to Russian-owned companies. We must join the international community in taking action to counter Russia’s tyrannical attack on Ukraine. […]
CLICK HERE>>>> for PDF OF THE MARCH, 2022 VALLEY PATRIOT
By: Kane – Feb. 2022 John MacDonald has recently been appointed as Commander to the Lowell American Legion Post 0087. Kane knows John MacDonald is no stranger to bringing Veterans together to connect over shared experiences. In fact, as a Desert Storm Veteran, he made a promise to himself to honor the fallen and […]
By: John Cuddy – Feb. 2022 This month is a rare, second interview with a local Veteran, first interviewed by our editor Tom Duggan in October of 2016. Since that time, US Air Force Veteran John MacDonald, has been very busy, assisting Veterans throughout the Merrimack Valley and the United States. Had a meeting […]
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Wall and Mobile Education Center spreads healing legacy of The Wall and educates about the impact of the Vietnam War The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center, is coming to Methuen, MA on September 27 – October 2, 2022, […]
By: John Cuddy – Jan. 2022 After graduating from Lowell High School with the Class of 1965, Lowell’s Barry Kuntz enlisted in the US Air Force. Asked why? He replied, “I felt the Air Force suited me best.” After completing US Air Force Basic Training in San Antonio, Texas, Barry was assigned to McGuire AFB […]
Takes Advantage of the Massachusetts Brace Act, Providing Tax Relief for Gold Star Families of Lawrence Tuesday, February 1, 2022 Statement Regarding by Former City Councilor Dave Abdoo Regarding the Lawrence City Council’s Favorable Passage and Enactment of Agenda No. 276/21 “Gold Star Family Tax Exemption” exempting Gold Star families within our Lawrence community […]
Legislation would designate the last Monday of September as “Gold Star Families Day” Bill Text (PDF) Washington, D.C. – United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced Gold Star Families Day Act, legislation that would dedicate the last Monday in September as a federal holiday in observance and […]
NEWBURYPORT — Chief Christopher LeClaire is pleased to report that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting first responders, veterans, and their families — has paid in full the mortgage on the home of fallen Newburyport Firefighter Brett Burkinshaw. Firefighter Burkinshaw, who served his community for nearly […]