KANE’S CORNER ~ Jeffrey Hollett, Haverhill Veteran Services Officer

KANE’S CORNER ~ Jeffrey Hollett, Haverhill Veteran Services Officer

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 […]

Lawrence, U.S. Navy Veteran Ed Nasser – VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH ~ HEROES IN OUR MIDST

Lawrence, U.S. Navy Veteran Ed Nasser –  VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH ~ HEROES IN OUR MIDST

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 […]

Soldiers’ Home Reform Remains a Top Priority

Soldiers’ Home Reform Remains a Top Priority

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 […]

VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH, HERO IN OUR MIDST ~ Haverhill’s Frederick “Buddy” Hansen, Jr.

VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH, HERO IN OUR MIDST ~ Haverhill’s Frederick “Buddy” Hansen, Jr.

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 […]

US Army Afghanistan Veteran Jeannette Mason: Life is About Choices ~ VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH, HERO IN OUR MIDST

US Army Afghanistan Veteran Jeannette Mason: Life is About Choices ~ VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH, HERO IN OUR MIDST

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 […]

Improving Safety and Transparency at Our Veterans’ Homes ~ IN YOUR CORNER with SENATOR DIZOGLIO

Improving Safety and Transparency at Our Veterans’ Homes ~ IN YOUR CORNER with SENATOR DIZOGLIO

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 […]

Scott Hyder – US Army – Founder/President, Hidden Battles Foundation – Valley Patriot of The Month ~ HEROES IN OUR MIDST

Scott Hyder – US Army – Founder/President, Hidden Battles Foundation – Valley Patriot of The Month ~ HEROES IN OUR MIDST

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 […]

Soldiers’ Home Reform – House Bill is Not Right!

Soldiers’ Home Reform – House Bill is Not Right!

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. […]

Hero John MacDonald Pt. II ~ the Revitalization of the Lowell American Legion Post 0087 – KANES CORNER

Hero John MacDonald Pt. II ~ the Revitalization of the Lowell American Legion Post 0087 – KANES CORNER

  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 […]

Air Force Veteran John MacDonald Pt. 1 ~ HERO IN OUR MIDST – VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH

Air Force Veteran John MacDonald Pt. 1 ~ HERO IN  OUR MIDST – VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH

  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 […]

Lowell’s Barry Kuntz, USAF ~ Eyewitness to Both a Hot and Cold War ~ VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH – HERO IN OUR MIDST

Lowell’s Barry Kuntz, USAF ~ Eyewitness to Both a Hot and Cold War ~ VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH – HERO IN OUR MIDST

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 […]

“Gold Star Family Tax Exemption” Passed by the Lawrence City Council

“Gold Star Family Tax Exemption” Passed by the Lawrence City Council

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 […]