By: John Cuddy – April, 2021 Dracut American Legion Executive Board Members US Army Veteran Chris “Scrubs” Coakley and US Air Force Veteran Stephen “Professor” O’Donnell are both also members of a patriotic motorcycle group known as the Nam Knights. During the summer of 1989, a small group of Harley Davidson riders, who were also […]
By: Eric Spagnoli Methuen Mayor Neil Perry had an uphill battle recently getting his pick for Veteran’s Services Officer approved by the city council. A majority of the council was initially against the appointment of Paul Jensen after veteran groups in the city spoke out against his nomination. During the meeting however, Perry was able […]
LATHAM, NY -Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the recent promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership. Alex Barreras from Lawrence, Mass., and assigned to the 1569th Transportation Company received a promotion to the […]
By: John Cuddy – March, 2021 North Andover’s Jack Garvin graduated from North Andover High, where he played football and captained the track team. He also served on the student council. Later, he attended Northern Essex Community College. After graduating from Northern Essex, he was drafted into the US Army, during the Vietnam War. He completed […]
By: Kane – Feb. 2021 Kane felt privileged to tour Clear Path for Veterans New England to learn about the numerous ways the program assists Veterans in building upon their many strengths to create a well lived and balanced life, after honoring their country in the military. The program provides direct and indirect programs and services […]
By: John Cuddy – Feb, 2021 This is our third US Navy Seabee, who after serving in the Navy, became a police officer. Tom Murphy Jr. is a retired Lawrence Police Officer, who later retired from the Merrimack College Police Department as well. He grew up across the street from my father Jim, and my […]
“A Camping Trip with Automatic Weapons” By: John Cuddy “A camping trip with automatic weapons”, is how Hyde Park native and Boston Police Officer James LaCroix described his service in Bosnia with the US Navy Seabees as an Equipment Operator 3rd Class. James is not the only family member who served in the US Navy, […]
Clear Path for Veterans New England would like to congratulate our Volunteer of the Month for November 2020, Randy Carter. Thank you to WPKZ Radio for hosting our Volunteer of the Month Awards, along with the following sponsors: Olympic Trophy (Worcester) and Harvard Outdoor Power Equipment. Randy will receive a gift and a plaque for […]
By: John Cuddy – Dec. 2020 Retired New York City Police Officer, John Joseph Ratomski, tried to enlist in the Marine Corps the year after Pearl Harbor, in December of 1942. Joe, as he was known to his friends, was found to be color blind, and the Marines rejected him for this reason. The US […]
UPDATED 12-31-20 Sources at Veterans North East Outreach Center, (VNEOC) – a nonprofit in Haverhill – say that Executive Director Ed Mitchell, was fired this morning after months of turmoil at the organization. Mitchell is the former Veterans’ Services Officer in North Andover and was brought in to VNOEC after the passing of founder John […]
Representative Seth Moulton released the following statement regarding the findings by the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General that VA Secretary Robert Wilkie mishandled reports of sexual assault at an agency hospital. “Late yesterday, the VA Inspector General released a scathing report that showed VA Secretary Robert Wilkie sought to discredit a Navy veteran who reported she was assaulted at […]
The Valley Patriot’s newest columnist, Kane (and his mom Denise) making his first appearance on the Paying Attention! Podcast at the Studio 21 Podcast Cafe’ in Salem NH. Kane defeated Winston in our readers’ choice election last month, to replace Freddie who passed away from the doggie Coronavirus. By: Kane Peaslee Kane met […]
By: John Cuddy – November, 2020 LOWELL – A native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Donald Gelineau served in the Pacific Theater during World War II for twenty-four months. Growing up in a large French-Canadian family during the Great Depression, he hunted, fished and gathered nuts/fruits to supplement the family’s food. Don reminisces of his time as […]
Nov. 16, 2020 Since being taken over by former North Andover Veterans’ Services Officer (VSO) Ed Mitchell, Veteran’s North East Outreach in Haverhill has come under fire for neglecting and turning away local vets, firing veterans and hiring friends who are not veterans. Mitchell took over after the passing of VNOC’s founder John Ratka last year when […]
By: Don Jarvis – Oct. 2020 The VFW Lorraine Post 29 in Haverhill continues to find ways to serve our veterans and to reach out to them and offer support. On Saturday, November 7th, the Haverhill VFW will be hosting a BBQ chicken dinner, free of charge for our veterans, and will be delivered right […]