Valley Patriot Honors Police, Veterans, Activists at 20th Anniversary BASH!

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 do at The Valley Patriot, each year we honor veterans who served our nation and then came home to help other veterans. With the passing of our good friend and hero veteran John Ratka in 2019 we decided to name this award (which he won in 2016) the John Ratka Hero Veteran Award.

This year we honored hero veteran Eric Ryan who is featured on Page 1 of this edition of the paper.

We also posthumously honored the hero Marine Lance Corporal Robert L. Moscillo.

THE SCOTT CLEGG PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

A few years ago, we lost a great friend and lifelong supporter of The Valley Patriot, Scott Clegg. Scott was a man who went out of his way to donate his time, money, and resources to helping those less fortunate, as well as honoring veterans, and being active in the community. Therefore, we named our Public Service award for Scott.

This year we honored Dr. Natalie Stahl (third from left) for her work with the homeless at The Movement Family’s weekly dinners for the homeless.

THE OFFICER TOM DUGGAN HERO POLICE OFFICER AWARD
On March 16, 1990, Lawrence Police Officer Tom Duggan Sr. lost his life in the line of duty. Each year we honor his service and sacrifice with “The Valley Patriot, Officer Tom Duggan Sr., Law Enforcement Award.”

The award is given to members of public safety (police or fire) and/or one civilian who honors the service and personal sacrifice police officers and firefighters make every day. Officer Duggan believed that those little extra things we do in life every day to help others make the biggest difference and makes the world around us a better place.

This year’s winners were Methuen Police Sgt. Derek Licata (photo #2) for his work with various different non-profits in Methuen, none the least of which is Debbie’s Treasure Chest.

Also receiving this award was retired Lowell Police Officer Jerry Flynn (photo #3) for his decades of work as a police officer, as well as his lifetime of dedication to honoring police officers killed in the line of duty and providing needed assistance to their families.

FRANK H. CANN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This past year we lost Frank Cann, a man who we all wish we could be as he spent his life helping other people. He donated thousands of dollars for scholarships to kids in Methuen and Lawrence, raised money for local civic organizations, and was the go-to guy in the community when someone needed help. Therefore, we have named our Lifetime Achievement Award the Frank H. Cann Lifetime Achievement Award.

This year’s first recipient was former Gr. Lawrence Tech School Committee Chairman Leo Lamontagne (photo #1) for his 38 years of service to the students at the Tech School, and decades of service to the community as a local businessman. Also receiving this award was President of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce Joe Bevilacqua (photo #4) for his decades of service to helping small businesses, especially during the Columbia Gas Explosions and the needless Government lockdowns during the Covid Hysteria in 2020 and 20201.

VALLEY PATRIOT 1ST AMENDMENT AWARD

We have only given out three of these in the last 20 years but this year we make it four, as we honor former State Representative Lenny Mirra for his work exposing election fraud in Rowley during a recount in last year’s State Representative race. ◊

  awards, Dr Natalie Stahl, DUggan, First Amendment Award, Jerry Flynn, Joe Bevilacqua, Leo Lamontagne, Methuen Police Sgt. Derek Licata, Officer Tom Duggan Award, Scott Clegg Award, Thomas, Thomas Duggan, Tom, Tom Duggan, Valley Patriot BASH, Valley Patriot Publisher