By: John Cuddy – 6/24 Growing up in Medford, Massachusetts with six siblings, Johnny Joyce loved baseball and the Boston Red Sox, he played in baseball’s Babe Ruth youth program. Shortly after graduating from Medford High with the Class of 1987, Johnny Joyce joined the US Navy Seabees in 1988. He completed basic training […]
Kane went on a field trip to meet Scott Johnston, a Troop 80 Life Scout at the Leo C. Roth Dracut American Legion Post 315. Scott who is 16 years old and a high school sophomore completely restored the Schiripo Brothers Memorial Park on the Dracut American Legion property to an eye appealing dedication […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes 6-24 “Another Spring month has gone by in a flash. The Massachusetts House of Representatives met several times this month to work through the remaining bills before the end of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. The process to pass a bill into law requires negotiation and a final agreement from the […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton – 6/24 Last week, I proudly voted to pass a comprehensive Bill to enhance veterans’ benefits. The Massachusetts Legislature has gone forward with Bill H.4661, comprehensive legislation aimed at bolstering benefits and support for veterans across the state. This bill encompasses many changes, from increasing tax credits for businesses hiring […]
6-14-24 The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the United States military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans. Because the bill differs from the House Bill passed last month, both chambers will now move to reconcile the differences before sending the […]
ORDER YOUR FLAG HERE The Exchange Club of Lawrence and the Andovers will offer its 6th Annual Field of Honor, displaying nearly 500 American Flags on the North Andover Town Common. The Valley Patriot newspaper is proudly sponsoring this event to help the community. Again, this year, individuals are encouraged to dedicate a flag […]
Knox’s Artillery Regiment Group Creates Live Reenactment of the American Revolutionary War Sean O’Brien resident of Tewksbury, MA certainly lives a life of service. Professionally Sean serves as a North Reading Fire- Fighter and also served in the Massachusetts National Guard. Much of his service time was dedicated to mortars. Kane learned since a […]
By: John Cuddy – 4-24 The Valley Patriot this March, met with Haverhill’s Veteran Services Director, US Army and Massachusetts National Guard Veteran Jeffrey Hollett and discussed the five basic needs of our Nation’s Veterans. Most Veterans consider those needs to be housing, health care, access to education, employment, and most importantly, support and […]
Last month, at The Valley Patriot’s 20th Anniversary BASH, not only did the newspaper give out $58,000 in scholarship money to local students but several people were honored for their work in the community with recognitions and awards. THE JOHN RATKA HERO VETERANS AWARD Because honoring Veterans is so much a part of what we […]
“No landlord should be able to make military families sign NDAs in exchange for providing basic housing. Period.” Video of Exchange (01:32:11-01:38:07) Washington, D.C. — Today, at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questioned Army Secretary Christine Wormuth on the need to increase military housing availability and the […]
4-24 Providing professional, safe, and confidential personal and readjustment counseling to eligible veterans and their families in our community, Director Elisabeth Parrott of the Lowell Vet Center emphasized that veterans coming through the door of the Lowell Vet Center have entered a judgement free zone. Kane could hear in Elisabeth’s voice that she meant what […]
By: John Cuddy – 3/24 “Breakfast is the best meal of the day.” Tom Finn’s family has been hearing this for decades. They assumed it was an ode to health experts or to picking up the tab for the least expensive meal. But, no, it is a nod to the U.S. Army. Though the […]
03-24 Kane Peaslee could not believe how energetic and motivated his new friend Commander Eileen Suarez is. Kane says,” It’s impressive how many purposeful tasks Eileen squeezes in each day.” Every morning Kane gets up at 6:00AM but really it’s just to eat, then he goes back to bed. Eileen does not go back […]