Mass. National Guard Veterans

News & Updates

*** Thank You to All Afghanistan Veterans ***

As the United States mission in Afghanistan comes to a close, there are many veterans who served honorably there who are understandably discouraged, bewildered, and angry as they watch the Taliban take control. To all Afghanistan veterans - Your veteran brothers and sisters thank you for all that you did to deny a safe haven to Islamic terrorists for 20 years. Thank you for bringing respect for human rights to a backward nation. And most of all, thank you for safeguarding our nation in the troubling days after 11 September 2001.

COL (ret) Cheryl Poppe, our tireless Secretary of Veterans Affairs, asks all of the veteran community to watch out for our friends who served in Afghanistan during this difficult time. If you're concerned about them, please reach out to the following resources:

* DVS SAVE Team PEER Support: 617-210-5743

* Home Base Program: www.homebaseprogram.org

* Mass Support Network: www.masssupport.org

*** CONGRATULATIONS! ***

Congratulations to LTC Luis Rodriguez and LTC Dani Willams on their recent graduation from the US Army War College in Carlisle, PA. It takes determination, perseverance, and intelligence to successfully complete one of the toughest two-year educational programs anywhere - civilian or military. Well done!

Congratulations to LTC Meghann Plumlee who handed off the colors of the 101st Engineer Battalion to LTC Keith Moran after a successful tour of command. Thank you for your leadership, LTC Plumlee, and good luck in your new command, LTC Moran!

Congratulations to COL Mark Kalin, who will take command of the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade on 11 SEP 21. COL Shawn Cody will reluctantly hand over the colors as he officially moves into his appointment as Army Chief of Staff. Congratulations on a job well done, Shawn and good luck, Mark!

Congratulations to CW5 Timmy Tompkins and CW5 Thomas Joyner who were recently awarded the Legion of Merit for their long and distinguished service to the Commonwealth and the nation. Thank you for your many contributions to our force over the years.

Congratulations to COL Jonas Patruno on his recent promotion to O-6. Well done!

Congratulations to COL Paul Minor on his recent induction into the Order of Saint Martin of Tours, which recognizes distinguished members of the Chaplains' Corps. Those of us who have served with Chaplain Minor know that this is a well-deserved honor.

Congratulations to the following members of the Mass, Organized Militia (MAOM) who were recently promoted:

BG (MA) Chuck Cody - Army

BG (MA)John Rodolico - Army

Lt. Col. (MA) Mary Newton - Air

SGM (MA) Joseph Smith - Army

SGM (MA) Paul Hartz - Army

SGM (MA) Daniel Patterson - Army

MSG (MA) Angelo Rodriguez - Army

MSG (MA) Daniel Garrett - Army

Thank you for your continued service to the nation and the Commonwealth.

*** TAPS ***

In the past few weeks we mourned the loss of several colleagues:

- SFC (ret) Paul Sirois passed away. on 17 AUG 21. SFC Sirois was a Vietnam veteran who served in the USMC. He later joined the Mass. Army National Guard retiring in 2001. Calling hours are on Thursday, 26 AUG 21. The burial service will be held on Ftiday, 27 AUG 21. His obituary may be found at this link:

https://www.oliveirafuneralhomes.com/obituary/Paul-Sirois?fbclid=IwAR1-rfFTKfI-J4VQZOtIUMiFimJS_D9KxQDGTEPc6Q3xbC0FwvI4sX9NdaA

(Thank you to LTC (ret) Brian Andrade for letting us all know of SFC Sirois' passing.)

- Roland J. Beauchaine, a long time member of the Mass. Army National Guard, passed away on 10 AUG 21. His obituary can be found at:

https://framinghamsource.com/index.php/2021/08/15/roland-j-beauchaine-60-army-national-guard-veteran-electrical-engineer/?fbclid=IwAR1eQtot-bb-uGrvhIcy0Q71lgd0Q-9dYd15KEk3338AfpzK8O96t4BeVYU

- Carl Bailey left us on 21 JUL 21. Chief Bailey served in the Marine Corps as well as many years in the Mass. Army National Guard. He is fondly remembered by all who knew him.

- LTC (ret) Robert J. Jordan passed away in July 2021. LTC Jordan was a military veteran and member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Mass. for 46 years.

*** REACH OUT, GIVE BACK, & CONTINUE TO SERVE ***

Donations Needed -

Mass. Military Support Foundation -

The Massachusetts Military Support Foundation provides many important services for veterans and military families who need help.

If you know a buddy in need, please pass along this information. If you can spare it, help is always needed to fund this good work. Please consider a donation at:

https://www.classy.org/campaign/food4vets/c284872

(Thank you to CSM (ret) Tom Ardita for passing along this information.)

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Save The Date -

*** 9 September 2021 - Listening Session for Afghanistan Veterans, 1730 hrs. Castle Island, South Boston, MA

Event is sponsored by the Boston Vet Center. Please call 857-203-6461 for more information.

(Thank you to Sec. Poppe for passing this along.)

*** 11 SEPTEMBER 2021 - Multiple Events at Joint Base Cape Cod

1100 hrs. - 151st Regional Support Group Change of Command

1200 hrs. - Officer Candidate School Graduation

1200 hrs. - 51st Troop Command Change of Command

1400 hrs. - 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Change of Command

*** 11 SEPTEMBER 2021 - Multiple 9-11 20th Anniversary Commemorations

- Anna Maria College, TBD

- 102nd FW, TBD, Otis ANG Base

- MA EOPSS, TBD

- Mass. Military Heroes Fund, TBD, Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA

*** 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 - U.S. Air Force Birthday, TBD, Hanscom Air Force Base

*** 18 SEPTEMBER 2021 - Bridge Dedication for Deanna Richards, 1300 hrs., 750 Winter St., Framingham, MA

*** 18 SEPTEMBER 2021 - Joint Medical Ball, Seaport Hotel, Boston, MA

*** 23 SEPTEMBER 2021 - Yankee Division Veterans Association (YDVA) Convention, Yarmouth, MA

*** 1 OCTOBER 2021 at 1800 hrs. and 2 OCTOBER 2021 at 1400 hrs. - Forging Forward Presentation, Mahar Regional High School, Orange, MA

SSG (ret) Bobby Henline will offer his inspiring story about coming back from major injuries suffered during an IED attack.

Contact James Hopkins at afdjames@aol,com or Farrah Zanga at fanoftobyk@aol.com for tickets

*** 1 - 3 OCTOBER 2021 - Project New Hope - 1 - 182 Infantry Battalion 2011-12 Afghanistan Deployment Reunion Grotonwood Conference Center, Groton, MA

To register:

www.Project New HopeMA.org/Retreats

*** 4 OCTOBER 2021 - 1st Corps of Cadets 16th Annual Golf Tournament, New Sandy Burr Country Club, Wayland, MA

To resister or sponsor, go to: https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/16th-annual-vafcc-golf-tournament?fbclid=IwAR10O6yCpnrHDo2fKuHBWuXGDWgAabbUKV4TvNKNGUKg4I8AlCC4SjmMbqE

*** 11 OCTOBER 2021 - Boston Marathon

*** 16 OCTOBER 2021 - OCS & WOCS Graduation, 1000 hrs., JBCC

*** 20 OCTOBER 2021 - Rededication Ceremony - Shaw 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial, 1000 hrs., Boston Common

*** 21 OCTOBER 2021 - 3rd Annual Stallings Memorial Speaker - 1LT (ret) Melissa Stockwell, 1800 - 1930 hrs., virtual event

Montachusett Veterans Outreach is hosting 1LT Stockwell as its 3rd annual guest speaker. 1LT Stockwell is a nationally known motivational speaker. She is an OIF veteran who is a Paralympic Bronze Medalist. For more information, contact Stephanie Marchetti at smarchetti@veterans-outreach.org

*** 23 OCTOBER 2021 - BU ROTC Pass in Review, TBD

*** 1 NOVEMBER 2021 - 211th Military Police Battalion Dining-In, TBD, Falcon Golf Course, Joint Base Cape Cod

*** 6 NOVEMBER 2021 - Mass. National Guard Retirement Ceremony, 1300 hrs., JFHQ or Gillette Stadium

*** 6 NOVEMBER 2021 - Mass. National Guard Celebration Gala, TBD, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA

*** 7 NOVEMBER 2021 - Annual Retirement Symposium, TBD, JFHQ

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Information ITEMS

*** Resources for Veterans ****

*** CALLING ALL RETIRED MASS. NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ***

The Mass. National Guard is continuing to build capacity to provide surge capability to respond to emergency operations. If you haven't already signed up, please complete your registration for the State Retired List. To become a member on the State Retired List you must have retired after 20 or more years from the Massachusetts Army or Air National Guard, have an Honorable Discharge, and your last five (5) years of service must have been in service to the Massachusetts National Guard.

*** Now more than ever we're seeking new members for the State Retired List.

If you're interested in joining, send an e-mail to:

BG (MA) Tom Stewart at

thomas.m.stewart.nfg@mail.mil

CSM (ret) Tom Ardita at

thomas.v.ardita.nfg@mail.mil

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