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 […]
By Kane – July, 2022 Kane went on a field trip to interview Haverhill Veteran Service Officer Jeffrey Hollett at his office in Haverhill, MA. Jeffrey has dedicated his professional life to helping Veterans navigate civilian life after serving our country with honor. Jeffrey, who originally served as the VSO in Dracut, stated that Haverhill […]
The Silent Generation Lawrence’s Edmund “Ed” Nasser is a US Navy Veteran, who dedicated his entire life to his family, his church, and his community. He is well known in the Merrimack Valley through an involvement with St Patrick’s Church for most of his adult life. Ed Nasser grew up in South Lawrence where he […]
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 […]