Mass. National Guard Veterans

News & Updates

*** VA Offers COVID Booster Shots for Vets ***

Some Veterans, spouses and caregivers can receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster shot from the VA.

Here are the Veterans, spouses and caregivers who have been authorized to receive the Pfizer booster:

People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series;
People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits, and;
People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits.

For more information, contact the VA at the nearest location using this website:

https://www.va.gov/find-locations/

You can also locate a vaccine center near you at this website: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/.

*** Run to Home Base: A Huge Success! ***

Congratulations to BG (ret) Jack Hammond, COL (ret) Dan Arkins, CSM (ret) Bill Davidson, SFC (ret) Patrick Smith and all our friends at Home Base for another successful "Run to Home Base." Hundreds of runners and walkers, including BG Mark Merlino, participated in this year's event on 25 September at Fenway Park raising vital funds to support veterans. Home Base is one of the largest and most comprehensive organizations in the nation that supports veterans struggling from the invisible wounds of war and service.

If you couldn't get to the run, there's still time to support the "Run to Home Base" by donating at this link:

https://runtohomebase.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 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 ***

We mourn the loss of these 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

*** 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

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Save The Date -

*** 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

*** 3 OCTOBER 2021 - 126th Brigade Support Battalion Change of Command Ceremony , 1300 hrs., Springfield Armory Historic Site, Springfield, MA

*** 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

*** 7 OCTOBER 2021 - National Guard Association of MA Lifetime Members Event, 1000 hrs., Heritage Museum, Hudson, MA

*Please RSVP for this event to Col. (MA) Karin Killeen at karin.killeen@outlook.com.

*** 11 OCTOBER 2021 - Boston Marathon

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

*** 21 OCTOBER 2021 - Luncheon for Retired General Officers and Senior Enlisted Members of the Mass. Organized Militia, 1000 - 1400 hrs., JFHQ

* contact BG (ret) Greg Smith at bgrpaulsmith@gmail.com for further information.

*** 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

*** 23 OCTOBER 2021 - MA Air National Guard Change of Authority (CMD Master Sergeant) Ceremony, TBD, JFHQ

*** 29 OCTOBER 2021 - MG Frank McGinn Retirement Ceremony, DIA, JBAB, Washington, DC

*** 6 NOVEMBER 2021 - 211th Military Police Battalion Change of Command Ceremony, TBD

*** 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

*** 11 November 2021 - Veterans Day, various events

*** 4 December 2021 - CMSgt Dubuc Retirement Ceremony, TBD, Otis AFB

*** 4 December 2021 - 211th Military Police Battalion Dining-In, TBD, Hanscom AFB

*** 13 December - MA National Guard Birthday Celebration, TBD, State House, Boston, MA

*** 13 December 2021 - MA National Guard Museum Opening, TBD, Peabody & Essex Museum, Salem, MA

*** 13 December 2021 - Army War College Reunion, TBD, Hawthorne Hotel, Salem, MA

*** 9 APRIL 2022 - Salem Muster, Salem Common, Salem, MA

*** 1 MAY 2022 - Rededication Ceremony - Shaw 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial, 1000 hrs., Boston Common

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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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